6. Powers, duties and functions of the Commission

The Commission shall exercise, perform and discharge the following powers, duties and functions for the purpose of achieving the objects of this Act:-

inquire into and investigate the infringement or imminent infringement of women’s rights and receive complaints in terms of the provisions of

intervene in any proceedings relating to the infringement or imminent infringement of women’s rights, pending before any Court, with the permission of such Court;

to formulate National Policy on advancement and empowerment of women in terms of section 7 of this Act;

develop a framework in compliance with the

conduct public inquiries in relation to the infringement or imminent infringement of women’s rights;

institute actions in any competent Court on its own motion in relation to the infringement or imminent infringement of women’s rights;

take such steps as may be directed by a Superior

request or call for any information or reports from any person for the purpose of performing any function vested in the Commission under this Act or any regulation made thereunder;

inquire into, and investigate complaints with a view to ensuring compliance with the provisions of the

liaise and interact with state institutions, bodies or authorities in order to foster common policies and practices and to promote co-operation in relation to the handling of complaints by the Commission;

open regional and provincial offices of the

acquire take and hold any property movable or immovable by virtue of any purchase, grant, gift or otherwise and to sell, mortgage, lease, grant, convey devise, assign, exchange, dispose of any such movable or immovable property;

conduct programmes to create awareness and disseminate information regarding women’s rights and internationally accepted norms relating to women’s rights;

to refer any women subject to discrimination for mediation in accordance with the provisions hereinafter provided, either on receiving a complaint on such discrimination or on its own motion;

make recommendations to the Government and the

to assess the impact of legislation, policies and practices on the women’s rights and to make recommendations to the relevant bodies in order to promote co-ordination among the bodies handling complaints of women subject to discrimination or violence;

take steps to ensure equality and protection to women of different categories and status identified by regulations made under this Act;

monitor and evaluate the adherence by private persons and other non-state institutions to policies and practices in so far as those policies and practices relates to women’s rights;

undertake research in furtherance of the promotion and protection of women’s rights and to promote awareness and provide education regarding matters relating to women’s rights;

receive grants, gifts or donations whether from local or foreign sources:

award in its absolute discretion, to an aggrieved person such sum of money as it may deem sufficient to meet the expenses that may have been reasonably incurred by such person in making a complaint to the Commission under this Act;

make rules in respect of the matters for which rules are required to be made under this Act; and

do all such other acts as may be expedient for the accomplishment of the objects of this Act.