New Torch bearers

Since women constitute almost 50% of the State’s population, efforts at nation building will have to take into consideration in full measure and proper perspective, the role and contribution of women in the noble task of the State’s development. While there have been various shifts in policy approaches during the last 20 years from the concept of welfare in the 70’s to development in the 80’s and now to empowerment in the 90’s, as far as the status of women in the State is concerned, she is uniquely placed in the socio-cultural context as a respected figure. Compared to other’s we can claim that the status of women is much better off. According to the State Human Development Report 2004, Nagaland does not conform to the general perception of women’s status in India. Apart from traditional practices that have generally cared for women and the girl child, the State has successful achievements in the fields of literacy, increasing sex ratio, health and entrepreneur development. In many ways however, a women in Naga society has also been kept limited within the confines of a patriarchal system. One area of concern is that they continue to be excluded from decision making process and in this sense Naga women have played a limited role in institutional politics. The absence of women legislators in all the 10 State Legislature since Statehood in 1963 is significant. 

Against this backdrop, the celebration of International Women’s Day today will be a good time to gloss over the role they have played, the areas where their participation has to go up and also the issues that needs to be taken up in conjunction with the overall development of the State. The positive changes at the level of government are noteworthy. This includes the decision to have a separate Directorate of Women and also the formal setting up of the Nagaland Commission for Women. Hopefully these structural changes will create a conducive environment for greater empowerment of women and to safeguard their rights under the constitution. In the past there have been arguments put forth on the enviable status of Naga women. While it is accepted that dowry system, child marriage and caste distinction are absent in Nagaland, can anyone vouch that other social evils such as domestic violence, rape, prostitution, sexual harassment, gender discrimination are not present? As such any claim that atrocities against women are relatively unknown in the State is nothing but absurd and misleading. As such, one of the areas that require proper attention is working on women specific policy initiatives and safeguarding the rights of women in Nagaland.

Lastly, the vital role of women in peace building required serious attention. Sustainable peace requires the full participation of women yet they have been largely excluded from formal peace building efforts. Their involvement in these mechanisms, which prevent conflict, stop war, and create mutual trust and understanding damaged by violence and hatred, is essential. Woman is by nature a pacifist. Today when our society desperately wants peace in our troubled land the greatest contribution can come from Naga women by virtue of their natural gifts of intelligent persuasion, sympathy and love; indeed women can prove the best teachers in propagating peace in our land.