(1) The commission shall study issues affecting the status of women in Mississippi, including, but not limited to, the following areas:

(a) Women’s educational and employment problems, needs and opportunities;

(b) Women’s health issues;

(c) The socioeconomic factors that influence the status of women and the development of women’s individual potential;

(d) Current or proposed state laws, practices or conditions in regard to the civil, economic and political rights of women, including, but not limited to, pensions, tax requirements, property rights, marriage and dissolution of marriage provisions, domestic violence and other matters affecting the status of women; and

(e) Any other conditions or practices affecting women which impose special limitations or burdens upon them or which tend to limit opportunities available to women.

(2) The commission shall act as an information center on the status of women and women’s educational, employment and other related needs, and on current and proposed legislation affecting women. In this capacity, the commission shall serve as a liaison and clearinghouse between government, private interest groups and the general public concerned with services for women, and in this regard, the commission may publish a periodic newsletter, maintain a website and communicate with and provide information in other ways to these constituencies.

(3) The commission shall educate the business, education, state government and local government communities and the general public about the nature and scope of gender discrimination, violence against women, and other matters affecting the status of women in Mississippi.

(4) The commission shall recommend policies and make recommendations to public and private groups and persons concerned with any issue related to improving the status of women. Toward this end, the commission may develop, prepare and coordinate materials, projects or other activities and give technical and consultative advice. The commission may encourage and help women’s organizations, public and private offices and other groups to institute self-help activities designed to meet women’s educational, employment and other needs.

(5) The commission shall promote consideration of qualified women for all levels of government positions.

(6) Before November 15 of each year, beginning with November 15, 2002, the commission shall report to the Governor and the Legislature on the commission’s activities. The report must include the results of the commission’s findings of the preceding year, with recommendations for the removal of such injustices as the commission may find to exist.