Can legal rights become reality?

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 30  

A ‘Legal awareness programme on Domestic Violence Act’ organized by Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) at old Ao Baptist Church, Diphupar ‘A’, on Saturday, deliberated on how to translate statutory rights of women into reality.  

Chairperson, NSCW, Prof. Temsula Ao, in her introductory note said that on the outside Naga women seem to enjoy certain status and freedom but the picture is totally different inside homes where they continue to groan under domestic violence.  

She said domestic violence comes in various forms and need not necessarily be physical abuse alone. “You (women) are guaranteed protection against domestic violence by law. How can we translate this into practice?” she asked.  

Prof. Ao said legal complications, family pressure and gender insensitivity have many a times discouraged women to seek redressal against domestic violence. The NSCW chairperson also said many women, especially in rural areas, are still unaware of their legal rights.  

She said since 2013, NSCW has toured all 11 districts to create awareness on women’s rights, especially in the context of domestic violence. “We have to help her (victim of domestic violence) get justice and also reconstruct her life,” she reminded.  

Legal consultant, NSCW, Khriesinuo Kire, spoke at length on Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and said domestic violence is a “disturbing topic.” The NSCW legal consultant said domestic violence may be an act, omission, commission, or conduct that leads to physical, verbal, psychological, emotional and financial abuse.  

Khriesinuo also said any act or omission that hurts or degrades a woman by the husband/male partner, relative and other family members who are living together in a common place or shared household.   She also quoted various sections under the Act through which a woman can seek legal redressal including protection order to stop violence immediately, custody order and secured access of woman to see her children, monetary relief payment for basic needs, and compensation order for medical and other required facilities.  

NSCW member, Asangla Cholong, who highlighted the activities of NSWC, said “gender sensitization” is a pressing issue and need of the hour. She said a gender sensitive society would bring about equality of men and women while respecting differences.  

During the interaction hour, women participants queried NSCW members on various aspects of domestic violence and remedies available.  

Around 500 women from various tribes residing in Diphupar ‘A’ village attended the programme. Earlier, chairperson, Diphupar Naga Women Organization, Viholi Chophy, delivered the welcome address. Member NSCW, Kakheli Jakhalu, chaired the programme. Sulimi, a Sumi women group from Diphupar ‘A’ enthralled the gathering with a special number.  

Naga women have little to no inheritance rights: NSCW

The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) today said it was working on the inheritance rights of Naga women in the context of Naga customary laws. NSCW members said during their tour to all districts of Nagaland, it was observed that Naga women had little or no right with regard to inheritance. While customary laws may differ from tribe to tribe, it was observed that in general the customary laws, including on inheritance and divorce, were lopsided in favour of men, a NSCW said. NSCW members said the inheritance rights of women to land in villages may not be applicable at the moment as in Naga villages, most land are the joint property of a clan or khel. But in cases of family plots and property like houses in urban areas, women too should get their equal share, NSCW said. NSCW informed it was in the process of consultation with apex tribal bodies including Naga Hoho and ENPO on the issue of inheritance rights of Naga women. Once there is consensus, it would be “landmark and historic” event in the Naga women’s quest for equality, NSCW said. NSCW also underscored the need to shed the ‘strong patriarchal hold’ on Naga customary laws if such laws were to truly serve the purpose and remain relevant in the future. Advocating ‘uniform customary laws’ for all tribes to simplify delivery of justice, NSCW also appealed to the DBs, the custodian of customary laws, that laws should have a “human touch.”