[4] In December 2006 and January 2007, the NCW found itself at the center of a minor controversy over its insistence that Section 497[5] of the Indian Penal Code not be changed to make adulterous wives equally prosecutable by their husbands.

They have also advocated the amendment of Section 198 of the CrPC to allow women to file complaints against unfaithful husbands and prosecute them for their promiscuous behaviour.

[6] The NCW came under sharp criticism for their response to the attack by forty male members of the Hindu right-wing Sri Ram Sena on eight women in a bar in Mangalore in late January 2009.

[8] NCW member Nirmala Venkatesh was sent to assess the situation, and said in an interview that the pub did not have adequate security and that the women should have protected themselves.

[11] The following week, NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma made comments suggesting that women "be careful how you dress", which invited criticism that she was guilty of victim blaming.

[12][13] In 2021, the NCW was once again criticized for engaging in victim blaming following the gang rape and murder of a woman in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh.

Despite complaints, no action is taken, especially during election periods - Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav reportedly made several sexist comments in 2010 regarding the Women's Reservation Bill.