Women. Prayer. Power. At Daba
Dimapur: As another International Women's Day (Saturday, March 8) was celebrated, a vast and diverse array of Ao women from Dimapur area came together and focused on messages of Prayer and Power. Organized by the Dimapur Area Associate Pastor Women Union, the Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) at Duncan was the site for the gathering.
In his exhortation message, Rev. N. Tzudir, Pastor DABA, was appreciative of the initiative and termed it ‘a new beginning’. Tzudir encouraged the gathering to be a woman who puts God first in everything. “Be a woman of substance, disciplined, and humble. Be revived and purified in the spirit, in culture and in understanding,” he urged. Posing questions for reflection, he asked, “Do you stand on the pride of past glory. Do you stand on the identity that you are an Ao woman?”
The guest speaker for the IWD programme was Imtijungla Longchar, preacher and noted author. During the first session of the programme, she preached on the theme for the day, “Celebration of Women’s Fragrance”. She stated that fragrance is God’s invention, and that we are the aroma of Christ. To this end, she questioned the gathering, “Are you the bearer of fragrance of Life or Death?”
Taking references from the Bible, she compared women to earthen pots, which was used to store perfume. She also mentioned how the Bible records women, who were weak, broken, raped and had bad reputations. “But God favoured and loved them. He restored their lives,” she said.
She encouraged the women to remember their roots and the sacrifices taken to reach the present state of well-being. “Do not take pride in your achievements but remember your past,” she urged.
In the second session, Imtijungla called upon all Ao women to fight against the ill practices prevalent in the society. She also asked for women to understand and utilize the power of prayers. She preached that a blend of prayers from women of varying and diverse background is what God wants the most. “All God wants from us is our sincere prayers,” she exhorted. “As women, we should get together and magnify the Word of God. Because, women of faith and strong prayers will have the sweetest fragrance in everything she does.”
Groups of women representing various colonies from Dimapur area participated in the programme and presented special songs and entertaining features.
‘Inspiring Change’ in Mokokchung
Mokokchung, March 8 (MExN): Along with the rest of the world, Mokokchung Town celebrated International Women’s Day with the theme “Inspiring Change”. The event organized by Family Counselling Center (FCC), under Care and Support Society at Ongpangkong Salang had speakers from Women Cell, DEF and Clark Theological College (CTC), Aolijen.
A press release informed that Merenla Imchen, Lecturer, CTC spoke on the topic “Responsibility of women in today’s world.” She emphasized on three points: How ordinary women make extra ordinary change in the society; The responsibility of women; and A Godly woman.
Meanwhile, Women Cell shared about setup of the Women Cell, its activities and how to approach the women cell by women victims. Achila, president, Watsu Mungdang and Moa Lkr, CDPO, Mangkolemba exhorted the gathering. Around 100 participants from Watsu Mungdang, women departments of various churches and Observation Home Mokokchung attended the event.
Call to fight for the rights of women
Dimapur, March 8 (MExN): On account of International Women's Day (IWD), Youngs' Club along with their voluntary group Youth for Change had a short fellowship program with Naga Women Hoho Dimapur and Women Police Cell at Unity Hall, Naga Council Building on March 8. The program started with Youngs' Club president, Jenpu Rongmei acknowledging the role and duties of Naga women Hoho Dimapur and Women Police in the society. He also shared on why IWD is celebrated, a press release informed.
The release added that Naga Women Hoho Dimapur president, Hukheli T Wotsa shared on domestic violence faced by women, discrimination against women of weaker section and safety of women. The Women Hoho president encouraged the Youngs' Club to come forward and strengthen the women group and fight for the rights of women. The program ended with a prayer led by Pastor Nekhole Wetsah, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church.
Naga women: Their hurdles and contributions
Kohima, March 8 (MExN): “If you want to ask me what I have changed, ask yourself the same question!” said Mezivolü T Therieh, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima in her welcome address at the celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8 at the DC Conference Hall, Kohima under the global theme ‘Inspiring Change’ organized by the Kohima District Legal Service Authority (KDLSA) in collaboration with Naga Mothers Association (NMA).
The program was chaired by Joshua Sheqi, Panel Lawyer while the prayer was invoked by Khesheli Chishi, Convenor, Indigenous Women Former for North East India (IWFNEI). The keynote speech was given by Y. Maongkaba Imchen who talked on the access to justice in the context of India and Nagaland, where he further emphasized on the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) and the Preamble to the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA).
A special song was presented by the Kohima Law College Students and short speeches were delivered by W Honje Konyak, Deputy Commissioner Kohima and Rosemary Dzüvichü, Associate Professor and Advisor, NMA. Honje Konyak stated that there should be more emphasis on welfare legislation through the state assembly and that the need of the hour is the modification of customary laws which are women-friendly through the consensus and active involvement of civil societies.
“The major hurdle in the empowerment of women is not the public but the policy makers,” said Rosemary who emphasized that the main change, Naga society needs today is the sensitization of legislators. Taking the examples of South Asian countries like Afghanistan, Rosemary asserted that experiences that Afghan women go through are similar to what Naga women face.
“In the last six decades, Naga women faced sexual violence in the hands of the Indian Army and now they face the same violence in the hands of our own men with total impunity,” Rosemary further added. While talking about the changes that Naga women have contributed, she mentioned that Naga mothers have influenced women in Sri Lanka and Kashmir; one noteworthy example being the formation of the Sri Lanka Mothers Association, which was immensely influenced by the NMA.
Two technical sessions were held, where V Ashu Theyo, Panel Lawyer presented on the topic, ‘Constitutional safeguard towards women’ and Zheviholi Swu, Panel Lawyer presented on ‘Welfare Legislation for Women’. The event ended with an interactive session with concluding remarks by Abeiu Meru, President, NMA.
