Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I want to highlight the issue of gender equality in our state.
In a conservative male chauvinist Naga society, women are given equal status as men or this is what the male elders say today. Social evils like Sati, dowry and honour killings which are commonly seen in other Indian societies are practically absent in our culture for which I’m much thankful to the almighty. But today if we look deep into the context of our Naga society, we see a lots of difference between the male and their female counterparts. It is really puzzling that woman of other Indian states who faces discrimination and social evils just because of being a woman, shines as doctors, engineers, sports-persons and politicians where we Nagas who proudly boasts of giving equality to woman is yet to see a female MLA in its 50 years of statehood. Why such a difference? Is it that because the woman from the plains are smarter and more capable? Or is it because of your economy and the education? When we north easterners are famously known for our zeal, stamina and high literacy rate, I don’t thinks this is the answer.
I feel that some greater evils lurks in our society which makes all this differences.
The attitude towards our women from the men is such that women are compelled to accept their inferiority and secondary status. Our man should change this common mindset that – woman duty is to look after the household. Let’s just not only blabber that equality is shown to our women. We should show it in action too. The much talked about 33% reservation is one such opportunity where the words and action is to be judged. Smt. Sano Vamuzo has rightly said that until the women who comprises half the state population are kept in darkness the society will never shine. My sincere plea to all those who are against this reservation, especially the male section that if we want to see our society progress we should all encourage and support this reservation.
If men can, women can do it too. They are no less than men.
God bless us all!
D Hingman Zeliang
Student
Sainik School Punglwa
