NSCW conducts legal awareness programme in Zunheboto

Nagaland State Commission for Women conducted a legal awareness programme under the theme 'Legal rights for gender equity' at SBCZ conference hall in Zunheboto town on March 14. (Photo Courtesy: NSCW)

Zunheboto, March 19 (MExN): Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) conducted a legal awareness programme under the theme ‘legal rights for gender equity’ at SBCZ conference hall in Zunheboto town on March 14.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with Nagaland Institute of Development Studies with support from National Commission for Women.

Delivering the keynote address, NSCW Chairperson Khrienuo Tachu categorically stated that gender equity is at the heart of any progressive and democratic society, and that gender equity and legal rights must address the issues and problems at the grass-roots. She also stressed that legal knowledge and provisions must be made accessible to all citizens. 

Lauding the effort of the Sumi community in striving to create more space for women in the society, she said that the need to sensitize people on the legal rights and constitutional amendment on gender rights and equity is what NSCW is trying to promote and achieve through the programme. 

The Chairperson highlighted the aims and objective of the NSCW and said that the citizens of Zunheboto as well as other districts in the state, can connect with the Commission to seek counsel and assistance on specific Acts and women related legislation. She also encouraged them to seek the protection of law agencies in case of any violence and crimes against women in the state. She said that main aim of the legal awareness programme is to inform and sensitize Naga men and women on equal opportunities in all areas of life, and also create a platform to provide help women victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, cyber crime, blackmail and domestic abuse, etc.

Sumi Totimi Hoho President Kheholi Assumi, in her welcome address thanked the NSCW, resource persons, different stakeholders, and the citizens of Zunheboto for coming forward to address an important issue which will benefit the Sumi people as a whole. She mentioned that important conversation is taking place between Sumi men and women, and that the Sumi Hoho and Sumi Totimi Hoho are working in tandem to address issues and problems relating to Sumi women.

The panel of speakers for the programme included experts from different fields like academics, district administrators and legal experts who spoke on different issues relating to gender rights and equity. Important topics like workplace sexual harassment, rape, acts and amendments relating to women rights, customs and practices, and examples from field and personal experiences were covered to enlighten the gathering. These experts from different fields and backgrounds unanimously advanced a need for gender equity and legal parameters in place, which will give fair and equal justice to both men and women without any discrimination. They also addressed the need to make more avenues to sensitize the masses on the issue of gender rights and equity, and that dialogues, conversations and information must cut across all sections of the society. 

The programme was attended by citizens and various stakeholders in Zunheboto headquarters including gaonburas, Sumi Hoho members, Sumi Totimi Hoho office-bearers, church leaders, district administration, and students.