Nagaland sets trend to eliminate violence against women

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 25

Commemorating the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Nagaland State Social Welfare Board in collaboration with the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) and North East Network (NEN) organized an event in the state capital today under the theme ‘Break the Chain; Stop the Violence’. The event involved the participation of stakeholders ranging from students to NGOs, civil administration, police, media, social and women’s rights activists and legal fraternity etc. joining the campaign for elimination of violence against women which, according to the United Nations, had become a pandemic of global proportions with one in three women having experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
“Violence against women does not bring any benefit or contribute to the growth of a person, a family, to humanity or the society…. It is a situation which should be eliminated in a modern society,” says Rovilatuo Mor, the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima.
Speaking on the occasion as a guest of honour, the administrative official said violence against women is not confined to physical abuse but also includes psychological, emotional, and attitudinal aspects. Considering the Naga cultural practices, he said there are limitations drawn for women to attend certain gatherings or to participate in certain rites and decision making processes. He however pointed out that the modern society acknowledges the equality between men and women.
Underscoring the need to dispel any disparity between genders towards building an egalitarian society, Mor maintained that the perception and attitude of the people have to change to an understanding of the correlating roles of men and women.
In the legal sphere, the DC said there is no dearth of laws in favour of women, but the question is how effectively these laws are being enforced.
While acknowledging and appreciating the Naga women who have risen in society to prove that they are not weaker than men, Mor expressed hope that the positive trend which they have set would continue and gradually eradicate any discrimination and inequalities that still prevails in the Naga society.
Talking on the topic ‘Crimes against Women- status, forms and trends’, the superintendent of police Kohima Joseph Hesso revealed that there has been a steady increase in cases of crimes against women in the state, particularly in Kohima where 23 cases are already recorded in 2015 so far, against 6 in 2011. He expressed serious concern that the figures do not really convey the actual situation as many cases go unreported. Towards this, he asserted that it is time for the people to break the silence as silence only encourages perpetrators.
On the common crimes against women recorded across the country, Hesso said fortunately many of them are not prevalent in Nagaland because of “our social system”. However, he observed that while Nagaland may be safer than other states, it does not mean the state is completely safe.
With the crime trend increasing, he strongly expressed the need for all sections of the people to join hands, create awareness and bring it under control. He also remarked that most crimes against women are particularly influenced through misuse of the internet, bad movies, peer pressure etc and the criminals are mostly school dropouts and those from broken homes. Towards this, he asked NGOs to assist the police in dealing with criminals from such backgrounds (broken homes).
While admitting that police personnel also have their shortcomings, Hesso called upon all citizens to step forward and make it known when they see any shortcomings rather than sit back and criticize. “Help us to serve you better,” he stated.
Nagaland state having figured the lowest in the country in incidence & rate of crime committed against women during 2014 with 6%, the organizers of the event conducted a debate competition for school students on the topic ‘Nagaland is the safest place for women in India’ on the occasion. Kivi Swu of Science College Jotsoma who spoke against the motion and Thsekulhi Thopi of Mt. Hermon School who debated for the motion, were adjudged to jointly share the winning slot, while Ngashou Phom of Mezhur Higher Secondary School Kohima (against the motion) won the second place.
Earlier in the programme, NEN programme manager Wekowe-u Tsuhah delivered the keynote address while NSSWB chairperson Bano Vinito shared a solidarity message. A handprint campaign for the cause of elimination of violence against women was also carried out during the event.
In the second session, NSSWB SRCW secretary & mission director Daisy Mezhur spoke on the topic ‘Towards a Gender Equality- Challenge & Strategy’, and an awareness concert followed.