Morung Express News
Kohima | March 28
National Commission for Women (NCW)’s expert member Rosemary Dzuvichu today asserted that the customary practice of child marriages in Naga society should be abolished and further called for implementation of the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 by the State government for protection of children.
Speaking at the formal launching ceremony of Nagaland State Commission for Women, Dzuvichu also said that women cells in all districts must be set up immediately, as per Supreme Court ruling for all States to prevent crimes against women and to protect them.
The directive of the Union Home Ministry for 10 per cent of police force to be filled by women must be implemented in toto and at the earliest, she said adding the Nagaland Police has 2 per cent women in its police force till date. Thousands of educated unemployed girls can be employed through this implementation, she observed.
While acknowledging the State government for amendment of the Municipalities Act, she made an appeal for early implementation in 81 wards within the time frame mentioned in the Act.
She also called for strict implementation of VDB model rules for adequate representation of women members, adding “Village and area of Nagaland Council Act needs to be amended in tune with the constitutional rights of women and adequate representation of women members guaranteed.”
She pointed that the State has seen an increase in violence against women, alcoholism, HIV/AIDS high risk group of mothers and children, trafficking, prevalence of female foeticide in Nagaland as per study.
“No inheritance rights, maintenance, property and land rights must be amended to grant gender equity to women”, she said adding there must be a fusion of tradition and modernity to empower women.
The expert member also regretted that education of the girl child is still ignored in many areas of the State. She also lamented that there is no State policy for empowerment of women till date. “Child welfare must be attached to women development department and the serious anomaly has drawn the attention of Ministry of women and child welfare and the NCW expert members,” she said.
Dzuvichu also called for adopting constructive relief and rehabilitation policy for war widows and children of conflict in the state.
“We hope our men will see empowerment as “partnership” and ensure a better future and gender equity for the younger generation,” she remarked.
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