IWRC, Kohima
A one day Gender Advocacy and sensitization training cum workshop for Dobashis of Kohima district was organized by the Indigeneous Women Resource Centre on Friday the 28th July 06 at the Nagaland University Conference Hall, Kohima. Head Dobashis and Dobashis of the apex judicial customary court, representing 32 Angami villages attended this first ever gender sensitization training for the strong judiciary of customary laws in the state. The two Resource persons were from the IWRC itself, that specializes in gender sensitization trainings in the north east.
The Director IWRC Rosemary Dzuvichu, who is also an Expert Member of the National Commission for Women, New Delhi was the resource person for the first session that focused on a wide range of gender issues and the need for gender equity in Naga society. Status of women in Nagaland, health, education and economic empowerment of women , women’s role in decision making bodies and the need to implement adequate representation of women in village councils, village judiciary, Gaonbura set up and Dobashi courts, VDBs, Town Committees and municipalities as well as creating space for women in the legislature were highlighted. Absence of a State Policy for Women and State Commission for Women is very discouraging and indicates gender insensitive policy makers. The necessity to seriously consider amending discriminatory customary laws against women in terms of inheritance, land and property rights and maintenance rights was submitted before the august body to be deliberated. Focus was on the rising violence and crimes against women and children in Naga society and the urgent need to take stronger punitive measures against offenders as per customary law, in order to discourage such incidents. Role of the community to support traumatized victims of sexual crimes and domestic violence, as well as the concerns for drug abuse, alcoholism and HIV/AIDS among young girls and young mothers was also shared. Emphasis was given on a gender sensitive society, support of the whole community and fusion of tradition and modernity, preservation of what is best in our culture and making ways for changes to ensure gender equity.
The Deputy Commssioner Kohima Shri .Ramakhrishnan delivered his remarks on empowering women in the state and stressed that women’s movement in Southern India was very strong and sought the support of the Dobashis to ensure empowering women of the state. The Second session of the training was on role of churches in empowering women, role of women organizations in the state to empower themselves and the role of the youth in empowering women in rural areas. An analysis of the village judiciary system was also made by the second resource person, Ms. Angela Yhome of IWRC.
Interesting discussions and interactions followed both sessions, where all the Dobashis contributed their views and strategies to empower women in the state. They highlighted upon important judicial judgements passed as per customary law which had been in favour of women. Regarding rape cases it was seriously felt that customary spunishments as per customary laws against offenders was much more effective, however most victims approach the police and often ends with offenders coming out of bail for lack of evidence or otherwise. Indecent films and scanty clothing on TV screens were seen as some of the causes for sexual crimes by the Dobashis. They emphasized on the importance of roles of mothers in our society in teaching their children moral values which will also bring down the crime rate.
Regarding child molestation and rape, the customary custodians were preparing harsher punitive measures against offenders as per the law of the land. Serious issues of inheritance, land and property rights of women was deliberated at length by many of the experts of the customary court. A positive outcome of the training cum workshop was that there was a strong indication of possibilities of a more gender sensitive outlook in terms of gender justice and equity, even with regard to customary laws and practice. Suggestions were made for women organizations to deliberate on issues of concern in the customary laws and create an environment for further discussions. The Head Dobashi of the Dobashi Court Kohima expressed his gratitude to the resource persons and the IWRC for reaching out to sensitise the Dobashis on a wide range of gender concerns in the state. The Dobashis made a fervent request to the IWRC to organize further follow up of the training cum workshop to enlighten and deliberate on such vital issues of Naga society, and also to organize an interface with Gaonburas and Dobashis together in the future on gender issues vis a vis customary laws.
