T E N Y E A R S O F T H E C O M M I S S I O N I N R E T RO S P E C T the Commission also dealt with the issue of "multiple" forms of discrimination experienced by women, children and dalits. ● The succeeding annual report, covering the year 2000-2001, analysed the Human Rights dimensions of "Census 2001", commenting on the male:female sex-ratio in the country at large, and in certain States in particular where the ratio of females was especially low. The Commission called for policies, programmes and laws to reduce the disparities that continued to exist between males and females in respect of access to education, nutrition and health care. It also called for a concerted effort to end the misuse of sex-determination tests which had encouraged the evil practice of female foeticide, a gross violation of the right to life and the worst possible form of discrimination based on sex. ● During the year 2000-2001, the Commission appointed one of its Members to serve as its Focal Point on the Human Rights of Women, including matters relating to Trafficking, and a series of research and practical programmes were initiated thereafter. ● The issue of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace also began to receive the concentrated attention of the Commission. ● A number of other programmes and issues relating to women were pursued including, inter alia, the increase in the maintenance allowance for divorced women as provided for in section 125 CrPC; the protection of the anonymity of victims of rape; the condition of widows in Vrindavan; the nomenclature to be used in official documents for addressing the wives of persons who have died; the conditions of women in prisons, custodial homes and institutions for the mentally ill; the establishment of a cell within the Commission to examine complaints received in respect of women. ● As regards child labour, throughout the past decade, the Commission has sought to end the employment of children in hazardous industries. In particular, programmes have been pursued in the carpet belt of Uttar Pradesh, in the glass and bangle industries of Ferozabad, the lock industry of Aligarh and the silk industry of Karnataka. Of special importance has been the rigorous monitoring undertaken by Special Rapporteurs of the Commission, both in respect of child labour and bonded labour in a number of key States around the country. A constant ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 ... ... 21 ... ... ..

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