Emilo Khuvung
Kohima | March 17
With the high court judgment ordering implementation of 33% Reservation for Women, about 78 women candidates have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming municipal/town council elections to be held in the month of April. This was disclosed by the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation during a press conference held on Friday evening here at LCS building.
JAC member Rosemary Dzuvichü said the confusion created by the Nagaland government is ‘unfortunate’ and that the series of notifications and reports carried out in the Media has also confused the women folks.
She said the state election commission, in consultation with the state government, has finally come out identifying the wards for reservation.
The JAC held a marathon meeting with women tribal organizations yesterday. The Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur and Eastern Naga Women Organization and other tribal women organizations attended. The JAC is aware of the oppositions coming out from a section of the society. However, the leaders said, as far as the women organizations are concerned, JAC appeals to all the organizations to give women a chance and opportunity to participate in decision-making. Dzuvichu also reminded that it was the policy and law of the government and the court’s for the reservation for women to be implemented.
Dzuvichü also said the JAC received concrete feedback from Sumi women organizations, ENWO, Kyong Eloe Hoho, Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur, Angami Women Organization, Zeliang Mothers Organization, Chakhesang Mothers Association, Tenyimi Women’s Organization and Rengma mothers Association. In spite of the opposition from some quarters the JAC said Naga women are ready for the municipal/town elections and waiting for the State Election Commission to announce the date for the polls. The JAC expects the government to give full security and efforts to protection of women’s rights and also to protect the candidates to file nomination. The women also appealed to the citizens to ensure that free and fair election is conducted.
Dzuvichu also said that in most of the districts, women candidates have already begun house-to-house campaign in their areas and wards. This is very encouraging and also for the fact that even men are supportive, she said.
The JAC also expressed concern at the suspension of Watsu Mundang by the Ao Senden and has resolved to write for the second time, a representation to the Ao Senden to lift the suspension. The women organization stands in solidarity with the Watsu Mundang and expressed hope that justice would be delivered to the women to play active roles in the society.
Putting in more, Dzuvichü said Naga women are looking for a democratic election with no favouritism and whoever comes for the election should have consensus through the apex women organizations.
She sought for equal opportunities and clarified that Naga people should understand that reservation is not a new issue – it is an international mechanism. Women are not looking reservation as the only reason for women’s empowerment but through the reservation even in the days to come, women would be encouraged to stand as part of society.
Chairperson of Nagaland State Women Commission, Sano Vamuzo said opposition to reservation is due to ignorance about women’s rights. She said Naga society is not at the same level on the issue of reservation due to many reasons. Reservation is for improvement, she reminded. She also said the women leaders are concerned about backward tribes and felt the need to give special attention as all women are not from the same levels. The backward people are not finding way to come to be a part with the advanced tribes and society, she said. The chairperson of NSWC said the Reservation is not a fight between men and women. The women organizations’ request to the society is that women folks can also be part of decision making, she said.
The president of Naga Women Hoho of Dimapur, expressed gratitude to the men folks of Dimapur stating that the women in Dimapur are privileged to be from Dimapur as support from section of organizations are being received. The ‘hoho’ thanked Naga Council of Dimapur and all right-thinking men for their support.
On “customary law”, Dzuvichü said the state government has filed miscellaneous petition which was dismissed by the court saying that the reservation (which is a constitutional right) supersedes Article 371 (A). The JAC reminded that Reservation has nothing to do with “customary laws.” Reservation is only about political representation. She also expressed hope that all the 60 legislators would honour the court’s order while reiterating hope for full protection and security to the women.
As Kohima being populated with a mixture of different tribes, she said besides the reserved wards, any tribe can contest in the open ward. She added that the JAC has scheduled March 25 to all the women tribal organizations to submit their names for the election for finalization. The criteria for women candidates include the experience of social activist, good moral integrity and a minimum of matriculation in educational qualification. Dzuvichu said reservation does not mean women fight men; it is only to assist them.
