Sisterhood Network hosts convention on gender discrimination in Dimapur

• DIMAPUR — The Sisterhood Network (SN), in collaboration with International Indigenous Women Forum (FIMI), organised a collective learning Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and General Recommendation No.39 (GR 39) on June 12 at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur.
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• In a press release, the Sisterhood Network informed that the workshop aimed to build awareness and understanding on the rights of indigenous women and girls.
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• Participants of the workshop included members of SN, Nagaland State Commission for Women, women police, representatives from the churches, District Hub for Empowerment of Women, social workers and research scholars.
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• The workshop facilitator Renemsongla Ozukum, in her presentation, emphasised the CEDAW committee's efforts in promoting women's rights and the importance of National Women's Commission and civil society organisations. The discussion focused on General Recommendation 39 (GR 39), highlighting the need for substantive equality and addressing classism, hierarchy, and inequality.
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• The major focus of the discussion was on ‘Substantive equality,’ a corrective measure of GR 39. Some key features of CEDAW GR 39 include recognition of specific types of discrimination; emphasis on self- determination; free, prior, and informed consent and consultation, and call for access to justice.
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• Ozukum stressed the importance of women to be aware of their rights and to be specific about the discriminations they face. She highlighted the need to address classism and promote a more inclusive and equitable society, crucial for maintaining indigenous identity.

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• During the discourse, a researcher advocated for a holistic justice framework that empowers women to participate equally in decision-making bodies and peace building initiatives.
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• Representatives from the Nagaland State Commission for Women emphasised the need to protect indigenous dialects, ensure land rights and property justice for women, reform customary laws to eliminate gender discrimination, and secure intellectual property rights for traditional designs.
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• Azungla James, Director of SN, revealed alarming trends in gender-based violence, stressing the need for policy implementation against sexual harassment.
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• A 2019 survey of 600 women revealed that 62% of gender-based violence occurred in public spaces, 26% at home, 16% in educational institutions, and 2% at workplaces.
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• However, a 2024 follow-up survey of 202 participants showed a stark shift, with violence at home surging to 57%, and most cases going unreported to authorities.
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• “This alarming trend has become a major threat for women’s safety, emphasising that without proper data and concrete evidence, it is difficult to bring the harsh realities of women into light and work towards change.
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• “This data presentation resulted in an appeal to implement policy in all educational, religious and other institutions, organisations, and workplaces against sexual harassment for protection irrespective of gender,” the release stated.
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• The workshop was moderated by C Pihola Sangtam, Programme Coordinator of SN.
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• The workshop concluded with a call to action from Azungla James, and the need for continual support and interaction to bring about meaningful recommendations, ensuring that voices are heard on larger platforms.
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• Witnessing the positive interactions during the discussion, she accentuated the importance of putting more focus on interactive dialogues, conversations, and seminars in driving progress.
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• She noted that discussion about justice is easy to put in words, yet deliverance of justice becomes challenging. She encouraged and motivated the participants to keep on spreading the awareness for justice against any forms of gender based violence.
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• Appreciating the shared knowledge, wisdom and experiences from the cohort team of collective learning, Azungla affirmed that these contributions will assist likeminded institutions and organisations to work more effectively towards gender justice.