The Royal Government of Bhutan established the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) in 2004 as the national machinery to take the lead in promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in the country. In 2008, given the rising number of issues and the Commission’s increasing responsibilities, the Commission was upgraded to a fully autonomous agency under the Royal Government of Bhutan. The NCWC is governed by a Commission comprising of a Chairperson (Cabinet Minister) and high level officials from relevant government, non-government and the private sector. The NCWC Secretariat is headed by the Director General, under whom there are four main Divisions/Services: the Children Division; the Women Division; the Legal Services; and the Secretariat Services. The key focus of the NCWC is to establish a sustainable and comprehensive system to mainstream, protect and promote the rights of women and children in Bhutan.
