Beneath Nagaland’s Safe Facade

A close-knit society may have many advantages, but it seems to be working against women in Nagaland as far as their safety is concerned. Chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) recently said at a workshop on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, that “the closely associated and knitted society and the culture of silence” have conditioned women to silently bear patriarchal onslaught, resulting in hesitancy to report cases of harassment at workplace. The official went on to state that several factors, such as the victimisation of victims, stigma, and discrimination, deter women from coming forward to file complaints. This observation requires thorough deliberation rather than being swept under the rug and ignored. We must acknowledge the fact that the “culture of silence” perpetuated by the government, its agencies, civil society organisations, and individuals—often due to tribal affiliations or personal connections—is undermining trust in law enforcement, government, and the judicial system. This culture is impacting our society regardless of gender, though it affects women more. We must eradicate this "culture of silence" and learn to stand up for what is right. Viewing justice based on tribal affiliations, personal connections, or gender undermines the principle of equality before the law. The delivery of justice in cases involving crimes against women through Naga customary law is often a farce, a travesty of justice and a barrier to gender equality.

Well, Nagaland has been consistently recording the lowest rate of 'Crime against Women', making it the safest state in the country for women. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the state’s crime rate against women in 2023 was 5.2 per lakh female population, against the national average of 66.2 per lakh. This is encouraging. In the meantime, women's rights advocates are of the opinion that cases of crime against women are underreported. This assertion is not unfounded, as domestic violence, such as wife battering—particularly by husbands under the influence of alcohol—is very common in our society, yet goes unreported to the relevant authorities because it has been normalised. One can only imagine the pressure, criticism, and ridicule a woman would face if she files a case against her husband for battery. Even cases as severe as rape and sexual assaults are often resolved outside the court system, either through family compromises or traditional customary laws, rather than through formal legal channels. So, it is no surprise that such cases are rarely documented, despite their prevalence. The perception of women's safety in Nagaland will remain a paradox unless there is a mechanism that allows women to assert their rights fearlessly, supported by the community.