Imlisanen Jamir
‘I am Generation Equality,’ is this year’s there for celebrating International Women’s Day.
Women have undoubtedly made significant strides in overcoming systems and structures which have been rigged against them historically. The amount of women who are involved in sectors which were previously thought to be only for men is testament to that.
Despite the progress made, a lot more remains to be done. This generation is perceived as one which is more welcoming to the ideas of women’s rights and gender equality. And for a lot of this generation, that is true. However, dig a little deeper, and we find that the remnants of patriarchal ideas are still deeply entrenched, though not as overtly as before.
In the Naga context, it has been repeatedly pointed out that, yes, overt suppression of women is quiet low in our society compared to others. It has also been repeatedly pointed out that beneath this veneer of liberality lies a Naga power structure which is deeply patriarchal and antagonistic to gender equality.
These two observations may seem overstated, but it is important to repeat them over and over again. Protective legislation for women’s rights is very important, but to really address the core of misogyny, education is of paramount importance. The first step towards fighting insitutionalised patriarchy should focus on educating the masses which provide legitimacy to these institutions.
There is a lot of lip-service paid to issues like gender equality these days, especially by men and some women too, to appear progressive and in vogue with the present cultural and political climate. But prejudices still remain, as many find women holding positions of power or challenging existing norms of status intimidating.
One must be able to appreciate gains and look at the half full glass as well. But, in this urge to appear optimistic, one must not compromise on reality and veracity.
Seasonal projects, charity as a strategy for addressing health and livelihood challenges, women driving trucks and taxis under compulsion, ill-equipped shelters for the jobless men and women survivors of violence, hurried trainings, NGOs selling victims for short-term projects, choreographed activism and social media influencers always acts as effective diversions and temporary treatments.
What is needed is an amalgamation of thinking minds, caring hearts and transformational, not transactional, leadership and policies.
We are doing better on the surface. But that’s just not enough.
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
