Our Correspondent
Wokha, April 29 (EM): While espousing gender equality for all round development in the society, assistant professor at UBS in Pune, Maharashtra, Dr. Zubeno Kithan said ‘much can be achieved when there is inclusion of women folk in various decision making platforms.’
Dr. Zubeno stated this at the culmination of a two-day silver jubilee celebration of the Lotha Eloe Hoho (LEH) at Tiyi Hall in Wokha town on April 29 as the theme speaker. The celebration was held on the theme “Indigenous women as knowledge keepers.”
She reminded that women had worked intensively in taking care of children, farming, weaving and other household chores for the family even during the time when the ancestors were in headhunting practices.
She stated that Naga society has drastically changed since the past 10-15 years, where men alone are no longer the breadwinner of a family but women too have come to play a major role in serving the family. She, therefore, stated that gender differences, works and decision-making should not be classified and categorised basing on physical appearances but treat equally as human.
She lamented that women were denied a place to an extent in serving various social, religion and political platforms.
“If women are denied such leadership, then who is there to speak for the welfare of the women section?” Dr. Zubeno questioned.
As men and women are equally created, she stated that one should complement each other to eradicate the feeling of absence in what men can and what women cannot.
Expressing that women are no lesser than men and have come to take major decisions for the goodness of their male counterparts and children, she pointed out that women should be included in various decision making levels by training them and to freely practice their profession and trades to bring more progress in society.
Meanwhile, she appreciated the men folks for their support to enable LEH celebrate its 25 years of existence. She further challenged the women to move forward with determination and belief to achieve greater heights and benefit the society.
Later, LEH installed new team of office bearers led by Thungbeni Ngullie as president and Achumlo Kikon as general secretary.
During business hour, LEH has resolved to emphasise the need to educate its community and to focus on propagate use of Lotha dialect at home and during Lotha community programme and activities. It further decided to inculcate the younger generation to honour and use original traditional attires.