National Commission for Women: Safeguarding Women's Rights and Empowerment in India

introduction

The website is dedicated to the National Commission for Women (NCW), a government-mandated organization in India committed to advancing the empowerment and well-being of women throughout the nation. This platform offers comprehensive information about the NCW's mission, vision, range of activities, initiatives, policies, available schemes, publications, and more. Additionally, the website offers convenient features such as the ability for users to register complaints, apply for internships, explore opportunities to collaborate with the NCW, and access contact details for NCW offices. The overarching goal of this website is to facilitate women's pursuit of equality and active participation across all aspects of life by safeguarding their rightful privileges and entitlements.

Objective of the application

This website serves as a versatile tool for the National Commission for Women (NCW), enabling the achievement of several critical objectives. It acts as a tangible representation of the NCW's vision, mission, and activities while facilitating communication and interaction with the public, with a particular focus on women who constitute the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries of the NCW's initiatives.

Policy Recommendations for Women- The website plays a pivotal role in informing and advising the government on a wide spectrum of women's issues, encompassing areas like rights, empowerment, health, education, safety, and more. It provides invaluable insights to guide policy formulation.
Grievance Redressal Platform for Women- Offering a platform for women to report instances of discrimination, harassment, and violations, the website diligently tracks complaints and the subsequent actions taken by both the NCW and relevant authorities.
Legislative Advocacy for Women- The website serves as a hub for recommendations concerning legislation that directly affects women. It advocates for amendments and new laws aimed at enhancing the rights and overall well-being of women.
Review of Legal Safeguards for Women- With a keen focus on assessing the implementation of existing laws and constitutional safeguards, the website identifies gaps in enforcement and proposes pragmatic solutions for their rectification.
Monitoring Women-Centric Policies and Programs- The website meticulously tracks and evaluates government and agency programs designed for the betterment of women. It assesses their impact on women's welfare and offers suggestions for improvements.
Strategic Problem-Solving- In addressing specific issues arising from discrimination and violence against women, the website devises problem-solving strategies. It offers guidance on both prevention and response measures, contributing to a safer and more equitable environment for women.

Target Audience

These five categories cover the primary user groups that the NCW website aims to serve and engage with-

Women in India- The website is primarily dedicated to providing information, resources, and support to women of all backgrounds in India, including information on their rights, empowerment, health, safety, and more.
Government Officials and Policymakers- Government officials responsible for women's issues, policymakers, and legislators who rely on the NCW's insights and recommendations to make informed decisions and develop policies that benefit women.
NGOs and Women's Organizations- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and women-focused groups in India that collaborate with the NCW or seek guidance on women-centric initiatives, policies, and advocacy efforts. NGOs and Women's Organizations- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and women-focused groups in India that collaborate with the NCW or seek guidance on women-centric initiatives, policies, and advocacy efforts.
General Public- Members of the public, including students, researchers, and anyone interested in gender equality and women's issues, who want to understand the NCW's work and initiatives.
Victims of Discrimination and Harassment- Women who have experienced discrimination, harassment, or violations and are seeking a platform to report their grievances, access support, and seek redressal through the website.

The Challenge

The challenge at hand is to enhance the website's user experience by tackling potential obstacles that users might face. These obstacles encompass various key challenges, such as streamlining the search process, expanding search flexibility, improving feedback and information provision, ensuring data accuracy and consistency, enhancing mobile responsiveness, prioritizing accessibility, and creating an intuitive user interface.

Usability Study Findings

Homepage

Introduction Priority- Users found the lack of a dedicated introduction to the NCW or the website's purpose confusing. It's essential to reevaluate content prioritization to establish a more engaging and informative first impression.
Mission and Value Proposition- The absence of clear communication regarding NCW's mission and value propositions hindered user understanding and engagement.
Testimonials/Success Stories- The absence of a testimonial or success story section limited the platform's ability to showcase the positive impact and benefits of NCW. Integrating such content could provide social proof and inspire user trust.
Scrolling Behavior and Header Stickiness- Users were frustrated by the scrolling behavior that left white space above the header. Ensuring the header remains sticky at the top can improve navigation.
Unrelated Sections Combination- The placement of unrelated sections like "About Us" and "Related Links" side by side confused users. Separating these sections could improve content organization and comprehension.
Carousel for Gallery- Users found the carousel for the image and video gallery section less user-friendly. Exploring alternative methods for content display might lead to an improved user experience.
Social Media Promotion- The "Social Media Updates" section could be enhanced in promoting NCW's social media handles to better engage users and encourage interaction.

About the Commission-

Comprehensive "About Commission" Page- Users suggested having a dedicated page encompassing the commission's history, composition, functions, and activities to enhance information accessibility.
Navigation for "Citizen's Charter"- Placing the "Citizen's Charter" page under the "About Us" dropdown did not align with user behavior. Consider revising the placement for better user expectations.
Outdated Citizen's Charter- Users noted that the displayed PDF file on the "Citizen's Charter" page was outdated, which could affect trust and reliability.
Consolidation of NSW Cells Pages- Separate pages for each NSW cell may lead to redundancy. Streamlining the user experience with a single page and intuitive navigation elements could reduce complexity.
Ambiguous "Who's Who" Label- Users found the label "Who's Who" lacked specificity and suggested renaming it to provide clarity.
Chairperson's Bio- Users felt that Mrs. Rekha Sharma's bio contained excessive details. A more concise and user-friendly format is needed.
Visual and Interactive Elements- Users recommended incorporating visual aids and interactive elements in the Chairperson's bio to make it more engaging and informative.
Telephone Directory Link- Users suggested relocating the "Telephone Directory" link from the "About Us" section to the "Contact Us" section for easier access.
Clear Introduction- The "About the Commission" page lacked a concise introduction, making it challenging for users to understand NCW's purpose and functions.
Unnoticeable Detailed Page Links- Links to detailed pages within the text lacked proper formatting, making them easy to overlook. Enhancing the formatting can improve link visibility.
Single-Page Information- Presenting detailed information directly on the "About the Commission" page can streamline the reading experience and consolidate crucial information.
Filters or Search Options- Users found the absence of filters or search functionality on the "Telephone Directory" page limiting. Incorporating filters or a search bar would enhance usability.

Acts and Rules

Verbose Titles- Users suggested simplifying the titles of pages under "Acts and Rules" for clarity and conciseness.
Lack of Act Summaries- Providing summaries explaining the purpose, scope, and provisions of acts before presenting the PDF version was recommended for better user understanding.
Common Issues- Users noted that most pages under "Acts and Rules" lacked summaries, interactive elements, organization, and visual engagement.

Publications

Newsletter Updates- Users questioned the website's currency and relevance due to the limited number of newsletters displayed.
PDF Viewing Experience- Users found opening PDFs on a new blank page inconvenient and suggested improving this experience.
Accessibility Barrier- The lack of accessibility features in PDFs was a concern for users with disabilities.
Mismatched Content- The content on the "Reports" page did not align with its title, causing confusion.
Inconsistent Links- Users encountered inconsistencies and redundancy in links on the "Reports" page.
Incomplete "Publications" Page- Clicking on the "Publications" icon led to a blank page, indicating incomplete development.

Media

Lack of Interactive Navigation- Users recommended adding interactive elements to improve navigation in the photo gallery.
Lack of Photo Context- Users found it challenging to understand the context of photos without captions or descriptions.
Visual Engagement- Users suggested adding visual elements and interactive features to the "News Clippings" page.
Display Format- The current table format for news clippings was not considered the most effective or visually appealing way to present content.
Video Context- Users noted the lack of context and explanation for videos on the "Video Spots" page.

Notifications

Inconsistent and Ambiguous Content- Users found the "Notifications" navlink confusing and suggested clearer categorization.
PDF Link Handling- Redirecting users to an intermediate page before accessing PDF files was seen as inefficient.
Label Consistency- Users recommended using informative and consistent labels for links on the "Office Orders" page.
Value Proposition- The "Office Orders" page lacked a clear value proposition for users.
Visual Appeal- Users found the design of the "Office Orders" page unattractive and not engaging.

NCW Applications

Lack of Page Descriptions- Users wanted descriptions for NCW services pages to understand their purpose.
Navlink Renaming- Suggested renaming the "NCW Applications" navlink for clarity.
External Links- Users suggested providing clear indications and descriptions for external links in the "NCW Applications" section.

RTI

Non-Descriptive NavLink- Users recommended renaming the "RTI" navlink for clarity.
Visual and Interactive Elements- Users suggested adding visual and interactive elements to the "More Details" page within the RTI section.
External Website Navigation- Users preferred clear notices before being redirected to external websites from the "File Online RTI" page.

Miscellaneous/Overall

Sticky Social Media Icons- Placing sticky social media icons obstructed content and hindered navigation, especially on smaller screens.
Logical Navbar Categorization- Organizing navbar categories and clear naming can improve navigation.
Spelling and Grammar- Correcting spelling mistakes enhance professionalism.
Registration and Login Section- Placing it prominently improves user access.
Dynamic Content Based on Language- Allowing language selection for dynamic content improves user personalization.
Consistent Navbar Links- Maintaining a consistent navigation structure ensures user-friendly navigation.

Synthesizing Phase

With the insights gathered during the research phase, we have gained valuable understanding of the users' interactions and challenges while using the website of the National Commission for Women, a statutory body of the Government of India. Building on this knowledge, we have now entered the Defining phase, where our aim is to deepen our comprehension and transform the research findings into practical design solutions. To maintain a user-centric approach, we have created personas that embody essential user archetypes-

User Personas User Persona 1- Priya

Priya is a 28-year-old researcher working passionately in the field of women's rights. She depends heavily on the National Commission for Women (NCW) website to keep her research and advocacy efforts up to date.

Frustrations

Priya, a dedicated researcher in women's rights, often finds herself frustrated when using the National Commission for Women (NCW) website. One of her major frustrations is the disorganized structure of the website, which makes it challenging for her to locate specific information or documents efficiently. She feels that this disarray consumes valuable research time that could be better spent elsewhere. Another source of frustration is the absence of clear summaries or introductions for acts and rules on the website. This lack of context makes it difficult for her to grasp the content's meaning and relevance. Additionally, Priya faces issues with the PDF viewing experience, which disrupts her research process and causes unnecessary delays. She also finds the website's mobile version less than ideal, making it cumbersome to access information while on the go.

Wants and Needs-

Priya's primary needs revolve around improving her user experience on the NCW website. She wants the website to offer more intuitive navigation, enabling her to quickly find the information she seeks. Clear and concise introductions to acts and rules would greatly enhance her understanding of their content. A smoother PDF viewing experience is crucial for her research efficiency. Priya also desires a mobile-friendly version of the website to ensure access to information from her mobile device, which she uses regularly. Overall, she needs a well-organized, user-friendly, and informative platform that aligns with her research and advocacy efforts.

User Persona 2- Ayesha -

Ayesha, a 35-year-old schoolteacher and women's advocate, actively uses the NCW website to report cases of harassment and discrimination faced by women in her community. However, she frequently encounters frustration while using the website.

Frustrations-

Ayesha, a passionate schoolteacher and women's advocate, encounters several frustrations while using the NCW website. Her primary frustration arises from the complexity of the process of reporting incidents on the website, which often feels convoluted and non-intuitive. This complicates her efforts to assist women effectively in her community. Another issue is the lack of clear explanations and introductions on certain pages, leaving her uncertain about the content's purpose and relevance. Ayesha also faces difficulties with mobile accessibility on the website, as her primary means of browsing is her mobile device. Lastly, she sometimes struggles with the legal terminology used on the site, causing confusion and frustration.

Wants and Needs-

Ayesha's wants and needs are centered on making her user experience more efficient and user-friendly on the NCW website. She wants a straightforward and intuitive process for reporting incidents, allowing her to assist women in her community more effectively. Clear and easily understandable explanations on various pages would alleviate her uncertainty about the content. Improved mobile accessibility is vital for her, as she relies on her mobile device for internet access. Additionally, she desires simpler language and explanations for legal content to facilitate her understanding. Ayesha needs a user-friendly, informative, and accessible platform to fulfill her advocacy and support efforts effectively.

Mapping User Journeys and Extracting Insights

We have chosen to focus on Priya, a researcher in women's rights, to gain in-depth insights into the specific needs, pain points, and behaviors of users seeking crucial information on women's issues through the National Commission for Women (NCW) website.

Our user persona, Priya, a passionate researcher in women's rights, has shed light on the motivations and challenges faced by users seeking comprehensive and up-to-date information for their research in the field of women's rights. By outlining Priya's journey and experiences on the NCW website, we aim to visualize her interactions, emotions, pain points, and overall user experience while gathering essential resources and information for her research.

Mapping the journey to a “user story”

After analyzing Priya's user journey map, we have obtained valuable insights into the actions, emotions, and pain points that user like Priya encounter when interacting with the National Commission for Women (NCW) website. This journey map has been tailored to Priya's objectives and requirements as a researcher in women's rights. It illuminated critical touchpoints where Priya experienced difficulties and identified potential areas for enhancement. Based on these observations, we have distilled one of Priya's key needs into the following user story-

Priya’s User Story

"As a dedicated researcher in women's rights, I want to easily access and download comprehensive reports and resources related to women's issues on the NCW website so that I can efficiently gather the latest information for my research."

Framing challenges and hypothesis

Having analyzed Priya's user journey as a researcher in women's rights, we now turn our attention to formulating a problem statement that encapsulates the challenges she faces when using the National Commission for Women (NCW) website.

Problem Statement

Priya, a dedicated researcher seeking information on women's rights, requires a streamlined content discovery process and improved mobile accessibility because the current disorganization of resources and mobile limitations hinder Priya's efficiency in accessing vital research materials for her work.

This problem statement will guide our design efforts, ensuring that our solutions directly address Priya's needs and enhance her overall experience on the NCW website. Building upon this problem statement, we aim to address the challenges faced by Priya and enhance her research journey. Through an in-depth analysis of user insights and pain points, we have formulated a hypothesis.

Hypothesis Statement

If we implement a user-friendly content organization system, optimize the website for mobile access, introduce engagement features, and actively seek user feedback, then Priya's experience on the NCW website will become more efficient, engaging, and valuable for her research in women's rights.

We believe that by addressing the identified challenges and implementing user-centric solutions, Priya will have a more productive and satisfying experience while accessing resources related to women's issues on the NCW website.

In the following sections, we embark on a creative journey to transform these insights into concrete design solutions. Through collaborative ideation, thoughtful discussions, and productive interactions with stakeholders, we will strive to improve Priya's experience on the NCW website.