The 33 % reservation for women in the state which was approved recently by the state cabinet will enable the womenfolk to take an active part in the decision making local bodies, namely, Municipalities and town councils. The Naga women has been fighting for their right against the gender discrimination for a long time, that has finally resulted in government decision, though it has created some controversial reactions for and against it.
Gender is a concept which defines the relationship between male and female. With this development enabling women to directly involve in the decision making bodies; which was traditionally an exclusive domain of the male members, will bring about changes in the definition of the status as well as in the relationship between the sexes in the days to come. For this reason, a section of the people consider the reservation move as an encroachment into that exclusive jurisdiction upsetting the aged old established roles and defined responsibilities between male and female.
Traditionally, the ideal roles of a woman in the earlier days in most societies all over the world were mainly assigned to domestic activities. A renowned writer had remarked that while husband is a provider, a woman would be, “A lady in the drawing room, a magician in the kitchen, An angel in the nursery, and a pleasure in bed.”
To an extent in the bygone days, when the society survival depended mainly on superior physical strength, that could have been an appropriate expected role of a women but will that be the relevant criteria determining the women’s place in society today? Role has now changed where women are now encouraged from the school days that they can strive for academic champion and achievers, excellent in every field that was once the exclusive domain of men. They have amply proven themselves with their actual performances in every field these days doing better than the man folk. Today they are in many cases equally the earning member and provider in the family.
Frankly, the Naga tribal traditions have not been fair to the womenfolk in many ways. Their role were relegated to Domestic services, e.g. child bearing and rearing, household chores, Labor for the family but denied the right to exclusive property ownership and inheritance.
Many women knowingly or as a matter of old tradition, meekly accept the traditional subordinate position to their male counterpart and just live accepting the gender discriminatory status. If their main occupation is limited to household duties then a lot of capable talents equipped with sound education will be wasted. Since so much of investment is made in giving them good education, it will amount to criminal waste of competent resources in human capital, and a social injustice to the better half of the population and a lost to the society.
Given a chance and space, Women are equally competent and intellectually capable to shoulder any responsibilities. Malefolk must, instead of opposing, be ready to share equal responsibility by sharing rights and duties in all sphere of activities, be it social, political or economic matters.
Man’s resistant to change is normally expected when the set pattern of life is disturbed by changes requiring readjustment. Tension will be generated till it is settled in the new pattern of life.
The traditionalists,-who oppose the reservation, are apprehensive about the implication of the decision. They feel that it will erode the traditional values and will upset the harmonious relationship in the society if the traditionally defined role of male and female which were of standard practices over the years, are dislocated. Further, the reservation will undermine the especial Constitutional Guarantee accorded to the Nagas under Art 371A protecting the application of their unique social practices and the Naga customary laws and procedures etc.
While the protagonists- of the reservation feel that it’s a timely decision. It’s about time the Naga women are empowered to actively participate in the important decision making bodies which will only enrich the qualities of governance. It will not, in any way dilute nor infringes the privileges guaranteed under the constitution to the Nagas. This is an opportune moment for the Naga society to look at the tradition practices handed down from the past and to redefine those outdated ones making it more relevant to suit the modern challenges and prepare for the future. We need not look in isolation at this political concession given through this reservation but also in many other spheres of activities. An active involvement of capable women in political decision making arena will slowly and surely undergo changes in the relationship between the sexes thereby the traditional family values and behavioral pattern and sharing of responsibilities will undergo a new adjustment when women mindset come out of the confined cocoon of the household activities and take equal share of duties and socio- political responsibilities. We should be prepared for it, because sooner or later, it is bound to happen.
In today’s knowledge society where the knowledge is expanding exponentially, having the technological and intellectual knowledge is the core driving force to bring about the positive changes. And in a democratic welfare state only the best knowledgeable and truly committed to the welfare interest of the people must be selected irrespective of sexes to occupy such vital policy making bodies. In this context, the women folk have amply proved themselves equal if not superior intellectually with male counterpart and are waiting for an opportunity to show to the world that they can also do given a space and a chance. They are equally capable, educationally, intellectually and mentally qualified and are ready to prove their mettle for the benefit of all.
It is seen that traditionally, women were not treated at par with men especially in matters of owning property and wealth, inheritance and were disallowed to participate in political or important community policy decision making functions. In that deprived position so long from the past, they are put in clear disadvantaged position in the society. That being so, we cannot expect them at this stage, to compete confidently at par with men in politically competitive electioneering arena; unless they are given some space by such concession like the reservation of a specific number or percentage. In some states in the country, like in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh etc, reservation for women is 50%. It’s about time that we all need to be modern and forward looking and be ready to accommodate such positive changes. Their involvement as an equal partner with the men recognizing their qualities will be an asset to us all.
It is not only the preservation of the tradition for the sake of preservation, but must mentally accept the urgent need to change or redefine the outmoded, irrelevant components of the tradition which have become obsolete. Otherwise, it would become obstacles in the path of progress and development in this digital, fast changing world. It is true that tradition is dynamic not static thus, it grows and subtly adjust as being part of the finer defining image of the society. The society need to adhere to the time- bound necessary adjustment and refinement to remain relevant regulating social guidelines of the growing society at every stage of time.
I honestly feel that the male chauvinistic tendencies that are seen in the naga traditional setting need to be re-examined dispassionately to enable us to readjust and redefine the redundant and anomalous aspects which will impedes overall healthy growth of our society. It is certainly a redefining moment for the Nagas to look at the tradition and custom and bring about the necessary changes to suit the modern challenges and for better future growth. The cabinet decision in question will ensure all citizen’s active participation especially the women in developmental administration in local urban bodies which is a welcome paradigm shift from the past. Such involvement can expectantly bring about the needed changes and revitalize the stagnation, inefficiencies and complacencies in the present governance state of affairs by injecting the fresh set of players.
Every well meaning citizen irrespective of sexes must agree to give a fair chance to the womenfolk and excitingly look forward to see the outcome of the new development in our society.
T.N. Mannen IAS (Rtd)
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