Hekani Jakhalu says women’s reservation is vital in Nagaland, asserting patriarchy will not work as more women enter politics and governance.
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DIMAPUR — Calling women’s reservation in legislatures “very needed” in Nagaland, MLA and Advisor for Industries & Commerce Hekani Jakhalu on Friday asserted that the state is moving beyond patriarchal barriers, with more women set to enter frontline politics.
She was speaking at the inauguration of a new building at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Purana Bazaar in Dimapur.
Referring to the proposed 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, Jakhalu pointed out that Nagaland has already implemented 33% reservation in urban local bodies (ULBs), from which “many good women leaders have emerged.”
Although she herself was elected without a quota, Jakhalu maintained that reservation remains necessary to widen participation.
She added that her party had supported both her and Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse even before reservation, and expressed personal support for the policy.
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Addressing concerns over its viability in a traditionally patriarchal society, she termed such arguments a “misconception,” saying recent electoral successes have proved otherwise.
“Our menfolk—husbands, fathers, brothers and supporters—were in the forefront to make us win,” she said, adding that “patriarchy is a very old thing now” and “will not work in Nagaland anymore.”
Jakhalu asserted that reservation would open the door for more women to participate in governance and policy-making.
Citing ULB polls, she reminded that women secured nearly 37% of seats against the mandated 33%, with some winning even without reservation.
She further said that the Assembly victories of herself and Kruse had “broken the glass ceiling,” changing both women’s self-perception and societal attitudes.
“If given a chance, they will perform much better than many other men,” she said.