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A Naga woman traffic police personnel directing traffic at Phool Bari junction, Kohima on March 8, a day celebrated as International Women’s Day.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 8: Chairperson of Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), Dr Temsula Ao Wednesday advocated the need for a concerted effort from both men and women to empower Naga women.
Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration at Nagaland University, Kohima campus, Meriema, Dr Temsula stated the need for Naga women to have a holistic approach in convincing the men folk about the legitimacy of women’s struggle for empowerment.
“With education and advances made by women in many fields, she has now been empowered and made eligible to claim her rights in political affairs too. Yet, we seem to be fighting a lone battle because we have not been able to convince our men folk about the legitimacy of our struggle.
“What we have to do now is to make them understand that women’s empowerment does not mean diminishing their status,” she remarked while speaking on the topic “Be bold for change: Strength of women.”Towards this end, she suggested that it would bring a more holistic enlightenment towards building a more balanced society where both men and women can work as equals by contemplating each other’s potential and genius.
She further cautioned that it would be futile to expect that the age-old Naga system of patriarchy could be changed or altered overnight just because some other societies have done this, or incorporated that on the strength of some Acts or diktats from the centre.
“Without first relating to the psyche of our men folk, we women alone cannot bring about any meaningful change in our situation,” she said and underscored that women empowerment should begin from the ground level.
Stating that Naga women would continue to work for equal human rights, she suggested the idea for Naga women “to go back to the very heart of Naga society which is in the villages and the traditions and customs of the villages which has moulded the mindset of our patriarchs.”
“We cannot expect to see overnight dislocation in the centuries-old system of governance of our villages. No one can give ready-made and instant solution to the exclusionary practices we have been subjected to so far,” she said.
“The first step is to acknowledge by both men and women that Naga women do not have equal rights. Having said this, we have to look back on our activities and decide where we have gone wrong to antagonise our men folks so that today we find ourselves almost pushed to the wall of our initial subjugation,” Dr Temsula said adding that ‘we (Naga women) need to retrospect where we have failed to recognize the true reality and context of our situation.’
“I do believe that the demarcation for labour also became the bar to keep women out of the governance of the ancient councils of our people. That is why it is important for us to go back to our ancient customary and traditional practices to remove this fallacy from the minds of our men-folk. That will be a bold step and will test our mental strength. Being bold however, should never be equated with being aggressive and confrontational,” she cautioned.
“It is time for us to venture out of our shells and approach the traditional patriarchs and tell them that times have changed and that they too should introspect about the injustice embedded in customary laws and traditions regarding the status of women.
“We should invite them to work together to remove these archaic laws which have been perpetuated by their egoistic intransigence. Let us make them understand that when we ask for our rights, we are only trying to strengthen the fabric of our society by adding to it the strength of women for the ultimate good of all Nagas,” she further remarked.
On the recent events in the state over the ULB elections, she said that all was not lost and that women would continue to work for equal rights and eventually gain entry into decision-making bodies with or without reservation.
The chief guest Kiyanilie Peseyie, Minister for Social Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs said International Women’s Day was a day which marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
“International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. On this day, let us acknowledge all the women in our lives – mothers, wives, daughters, friends and colleagues,” he urged.
Pro-vice chancellor of NU, Prof Buno Liegise spoke on the topic “Empowering through quality education”, while Daisy Mezhür, mission director, State Resource Centre for Women and secretary NSSWB gave a highlight on ‘One Stop Centre & women Helpline’.
It’s good news for women in Nagaland as the state government is actively considering a proposal for increasing maternity leave for female employees from 90 days (at present) to 180 days, at par with the central government.
This was disclosed by chief secretary, Pankaj Kumar, while delivering the keynote address at the International Women’s Day celebration today at Nagaland University, Kohima campus, Meriema.
The chief secretary observed that Naga women have made marks in several walks of life, including the uniformed services. Delighted that the state’s police department had introduced 33% reservation for women in 2015, he also lauded the social welfare department for having inaugurated the ‘One Stop Centre’ for women in distress and also the Women’s Helpline centre.
“In the 21st century, it is the brain, and not the brawn, which shall dominate. Societies which harness the full potential of women shall become more productive and competitive,” Kumar said.
On this year’s UN official theme for celebration – “Women in the changing world of work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”, Kumar shared about the unprecedented possibilities for women if they have access to relevant education and training.
“Planet 50-50 by 2030 envisages a world where all women and girls have equal opportunities and rights by 2030,” he said maintaining that women have to do plenty of work to achieve this goal in the state.
