TR Zeliang calls for safe and inclusive spaces to strengthen women's participation in politics.
DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang has called for creating safe and inclusive spaces that enable women to participate in politics with confidence, saying Nagaland must move beyond long-standing debates over women's representation and focus on ensuring meaningful participation in governance.
Addressing a seminar on "Empowering women in politics and leadership" organised by the NPF Central Women Wing at the party's central headquarters in Kohima on July 10, Zeliang said, "When women feel safe, respected and supported, they lead with confidence and contribute meaningfully to society."
Speaking on the theme, "Safe spaces, strong voices: navigating politics as women," he said safe spaces were not merely physical environments but places where women were treated with dignity, could express their views without fear of discrimination or intimidation, and where leadership was nurtured through mutual respect and equal opportunity.
"Strong voices emerge only when such safe spaces are created and sustained. They are voices that shape public policy, influence decisions, and become powerful instruments of positive change," he said.
Referring to women's political representation, Zeliang noted that although women constitute nearly half of India's population, they continue to be underrepresented in legislatures.
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He said women currently hold only 74 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, about 13 per cent, while the Rajya Sabha has 42 women members, accounting for around 17 per cent.
Highlighting Nagaland's political landscape, the deputy chief minister said the state had no women legislators until the 2023 Assembly election.
He paid tribute to Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu for breaking the historic barrier and inspiring young women across the state to aspire to political leadership.
On the issue of women's reservation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Zeliang described it as one of the most debated and contentious issues in Nagaland, involving constitutional provisions, customary practices and Article 371A.
He said the matter was eventually resolved through dialogue, consultation, perseverance and the intervention of the Supreme Court.
"We have wasted more than two decades debating over reservation and thus lost out on many developmental prospects. Therefore, we should make the best use of this reservation and consciously use Article 371A wherever applicable to uphold the legitimate rights of our people and not hamper our progress," he said.
He said the successful conduct of the Urban Local Body elections with reservation for women demonstrated that women's empowerment and the preservation of Naga identity could progress together through wisdom, mutual respect and sincere dialogue.
Zeliang said Naga women had always played vital leadership roles as custodians of culture, pillars of families, contributors to churches and advocates of peace and reconciliation.
He noted that organisations such as the Naga Mothers' Association had made significant contributions to promoting peace and social harmony during some of the state's most challenging periods.
"There is no reason why our women cannot shine in the field of politics and developmental activities in the State and country as well," he asserted.
Emphasising the importance of women's participation in governance, Zeliang said greater representation of women in politics had globally been associated with stronger focus on education, healthcare, child welfare, community development, transparency and inclusive decision-making.
He stressed that creating opportunities alone was insufficient and called for building environments where women leaders were encouraged, respected and heard.
"Political participation should never require a woman to choose between her dignity and her ambition," he said, while urging families to encourage daughters to pursue leadership roles and calling on civil society to oppose discrimination and harassment.
He also encouraged women to support, mentor and inspire one another.
The deputy chief minister further pointed to examples of women parliamentarians around the world carrying their infants into legislatures and breastfeeding while performing their constitutional duties, saying these examples showed that motherhood and leadership were not competing responsibilities.
Addressing young women, Zeliang urged them not to underestimate their potential to lead.
"Leadership is not determined by gender. It is determined by character, competence, integrity, courage and commitment to public service," he said.
Calling for equal partnership between men and women in building the state, he said, "A stronger Nagaland is one where women and men work together as equal partners in building peace, prosperity and progress."
He also congratulated the NPF Central Women Wing for organising the seminar and expressed hope that the deliberations would inspire meaningful action, constructive dialogue and renewed commitment towards a more inclusive and progressive Nagaland.