Citizens urged to educate themselves about their rights
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HRLN member Aishwarya speaks at the consultations on reproductive health and basic rights of children, adolescents and women, on Nov. 28 at the Tourist Lodge in Dimapur.[/caption]
Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 28 (EMN): Participants at a programme on rights in Dimapur were urged to make use of their rights as citizens or their entitlements would be misused. This point was emphasised by a speaker at the event: The people know about the condition of Nagaland and its amenities and infrastructure but there is no voice from them, implying that the people might not be aware of their rights.
The Nagaland unit of the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) and local capacity building group CAN Youth organised a programme on reproductive health and other basic rights of children, adolescents and women, at the Tourist Lodge on Nov. 28 in Dimapur. The event will conclude on Nov. 29.
Speaking during the occasion, programme officer of the HRLN Aishwarya discussed reproductive rights and the Right to Food. She explained that the Right to Life and human dignity are one of the most essential components of Human Rights.
Aishwarya said the Right to Food Security Act 2013 or the Right to Food Act was passed in 2013. The Right to Food is directly linked to reproduction, she said, adding that if pregnant women do not get nutrition it may lead to maternal health issues, or even fatality.
She told the gathering that facilities and schemes provided by the government are to be utilised as citizens are entitled to them.
Another speaker at the event, the advisor to the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) Dr Rosemary Dzuvichu discussed significant cases and challenges when filing cases from the past five years in Nagaland. She said the victims become victimised because of issues including social stigma in the society.
Dzuvichu said it is challenging for many to fight for social justice; litigations are not for public discussions. She said there are many issues regarding maternity health services because of which women face a lot of problems during pregnancy.
Also, a state coordinator of the HRLN, Neiteo Koza, said at the event that people in Nagaland still do not talk about Fundamental Rights. As a result, people do not utilise their right, the gathering was told.
According to Koza, petitioners withdraw cases due to pressure from various sections as they fear reprisal.
Nonetheless, she expressed belief that when they fight for change, change would come in the end. They must fight for their right as it is not illegal, the gathering was told.
The director of Delhi HRLN Olivia Bang said its work is not in the stage of advocacy but in the stage of implementation.
Bang had a question for the people: ‘They all know the condition of the roads, and of corruption and what is happening in the society but where is the voice of the people of Nagaland.’
She urged the gathering to use their rights and that they need to be empowered by their voice, their rights and the Constitution. If people do not claim their rights, it will be misused, the gathering was cautioned.
Further, Bang said that the programme was not for the HRLN but for the people. She advised the gathering to ‘come up with simple solutions today’ and work together.
A member of Dimapur Childline, Rangdouliu, explained at the gathering the objectives of the support agency Childline 1098. The agency reaches out to children in need of care and protection. The number of Child Rights violations that were recorded and in which Childline intervened was 310 from 2018 to 2019 till date, it was informed.
Rangdouliu added that the challenge being faced by child protection systems is the poor implementation of service by implementation agencies besides insensitivity of the society and stakeholders.
