Q1. How can I file a petition in the Commission?

Petitions can be submitted to the Commission on white paper, either written or typed giving the full postal addresses of the petitioner and respondents.

Q2. Is it necessary to affix court fee stamp in the petition submitted?

There is no need for affixing court fee stamp or remitting fee for filing a petition with the Commission.

Q3. What is the number of copies of the petition to be submitted?

Copies of the petition to be submitted depend on the number of addresses of respondents.

Q4. Is it necessary to have the legal assistance of an advocate for filing the petition?

Service of an advocate is not entertained for filing a petition in the commission.

Q5. Can I approach the Commission for getting solution in a civil case?

No. Petitions having a civil nature are not considered in the Commission.

Q6. Are petitions by men accepted in the Commission?

In exceptional cases, petitions by men for family re-union are accepted in the Commission.

Q7. Is petitions not involving harassment of women or any issues related to women entertained in the Commission?

No. Such general petitions not involving any issue of women are not entertained in the Commission.

Q8. Can I approach the Commission for getting Divorce from my husband?

As such the Kerala Women's Commission does not accept any petition for divorce. But in some rare cases, it may be necessary for the wife to get relief from her husband through divorce; in such cases Commission may suggest them to file a case for divorce in the court.

Q9. Is the Commission providing legal aid to the affected women ?

Kerala Women's Commission provides legal aid through KELSA (Kerala State Legal Services authority) in Kochi and through DLSA (District Legal Services Authority)

Q10. Is the Commission providing financial assistance for conducting DNA test to solve disputed paternity?

Disputed paternity is quite often found in the petitions received in the Commission. In a majority of the cases, due to financial difficulties, the petitioners find it difficult to go for a DNA Test to prove their claim. The Commission conducts, at its own expense, DNA Tests in respect of petitioners below the poverty line and also for petitioners belonging to the SC & ST. With the financial assistance from the Commission, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Bio- technology conducts such tests for Rs. 20,000/- per test.

Q11. What are the formalities to be satisfied for conducting DNA tests at the expense of the Commission?

The Commission conducts all DNA Tests in respect of SC & ST petitioners at its own expense devoid of any economic criteria. They only have to submit a Community Certificate from the Tahsildar proving the same. However, in the case of petitioners other than those belonging to SC & ST, they should be Below Poverty Line (BPL) and should submit a certificate from the Tahsildar stating their economic background.

Q12. Is there any provision for counseling in the Women's Commission?

The Commission is providing the services of counselors at its office and in the course of its petition redressal activities conducted at various districts.

Q13. Is the Commission providing any financial assistance to women for starting business enterprises?

No. The Commission does not provide such services. The Kerala State Women's Development Corporation is expected to perform such services for the needy women.

Q14. What are the functions of the Commission? 44. What are the functions of the Commission ?

The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions viz.
• Inquire into any unfair practice, take decision thereon and to recommend to the Government the action to be taken in that matter.

• Cause investigations to be made by the Director on issues of importance concerning women and issues concerning unfair practice and to report thereon to the Government on the corrective measures to be taken.

• Submit to the Government annual reports on

The lacunae, inadequacies, or shortcomings in the laws in force which affect the constitutional right to equality and fair treatment of women and also on the remedial legislative measures to be taken to meet the situation

The monitoring of the working of laws in force concerning women with a view to identifying the areas where the enforcement of laws is not adequately effective or has not been streamlined and recommending executive or legislative measures to be taken

Monitoring the recruitments made to State Public Services and State Public Undertakings and promotions within the said services and scrutinising the rules and regulations governing such recruitments and promotions with a view to reporting to the government action, if any, required to guarantee equal opportunity to women in the matter of such recruitments and promotions

•Inspect or cause to be inspected, by the Director or any officer of the Commission authorised by the Commission in that behalf, prisons, police stations, lock-ups, sub-jails, rescue homes or other places of custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise, or shelters for women or other places run by the Government or any of its agencies including agencies receiving aid from the Government for the purpose of offering rescue or shelter to women, or hostels intended for women or girls run by any person and such other places wherein unfair practice to women is complained of and cause further inquiries to be made about the treatment that women and girls are subjected to at such places and to report to the Government for taking remedial action.

•In cases where the Commission is of the view that any public servant has been grossly negligent or grossly indifferent in regard to the discharge of his duties in relation to the protection of the interests of women recommend to the concerned disciplinary authority to initiate disciplinary action Recommend to Government, the welfare measures to be adopted and implemented by the Government with a view to ameliorating the conditions of women;

•Formulate a comprehensive and affirmative scheme for securing equal opportunities to women and devise a programme for implementing such scheme which shall be forwarded to the Government for approval and on obtaining approval thereof with or without modifications, implement the same.

• Empower the Director to recommend to the appropriate authority to take prosecution proceedings in respect of offences committed against women under any statute providing for penalty for violation of the provisions of such statute.

• Maintain comprehensive Data Bank relating to the social economic and political conditions of women including comparative study, updating the same from time to time making available such data for use in actions for vindication of the rights of women.

• Recommend to government to initiate legislation for removal of discrimination in the case of inheritance, guardianship, adoption and divorce or for matters relating to the safeguarding of the dignity of women and the honour of motherhood.

• Call for special studies or investigations into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and identify the constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal.

• Participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of women.

• Fund litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women.

• Make periodical reports to the Government on any matter pertaining to women and in particular various difficulties under which women toil.

• Undertake promotional and educational research so as to suggest ways of ensuring due representation of women in all spheres and identify factors responsible for impeding their advancement, such as, lack of access to housing and basic services, inadequate support services and technologies for, reducing drudgery and occupational health hazards and for increasing their productivity.

• Any other matter, which may be referred to it by the Government.

Q15. Is the Commission providing financial assistance to women in distress ?

Yes, the Commission provides financial assistance to women in distress. Payments are made from the Distress Relief Fund of the Commission. The fund, which is solely maintained by donations from the public, has been constituted with the aim to provide financial assistance to women in distress. Since poor and helpless women of the society are the main beneficiaries of this fund, the public is urged to contribute generously to this fund.

Q16. Is the Commission providing shelter to women ?

The Commission is running a Short Stay Home at Thiruvananthapuram which provides temporary shelter to women in distress who are unable to return to their homes fearing cruelty and harassment. The Commission provides temporary refuge to such women during the pendency of their cases before the Commission