Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes, we need to change in our culture, change now or change later. if we do not make way for the women folks then we will end up losing to them.
• Yes, with 33% women in the house than 33% already elected male members have to fight from 67 %, which would be tough competition among the male member.
• Why is the Govt so undecided on this issue? It’s a decision to make all equal in some way. I would not mean to crack the male dominance.
• Why is it so difficult for the state govt to appreciate the offer as well as make an ambience where both the sexes of our society is benefitted.
• After the legislation was enacted, and then withdrawn, amidst protest 4m the women community, it clearly shows these men in govt are self-centred n still think their seats are vulnerable to demotions.
• The world will not end if we give away some percentage to women so that they can empower the political ideas 4 the betterment of women in particular n nagas in general. NPF govt has no clue to the issue. How would u expect the half-cooked, illiterate and buffoons to understand the impact it wud create in order to upgrade nagas in general.
• Why can't the govt do this? They r insecure till now? In fact, all they know is grabbing the public funds and has no clue to these issue. How can a bloody illiterate guy enact the law?
• Men in nagaland still thinks women are the lesser sex.
• YES!!!! Women who have been given a chance to educate themselves and empower themselves through economic enhancements have certainly proven their worth in these fields... now this is the last male bastion that men are still controlling... God forbid they reserve a spot for women, to see if they can actually make decisions and they turn out to be better....what then??? Some men will certainly not want that especially if it is their position they may lose...
• Yes, in our Naga society, men were consider head of the family and in some areas in Nagas women, they don't gets their rights but for me if she capable about her leadership, she is right to stand. While In this world no one is perfect.
• It still boils down to women's voices being heard and participation in the decision making... how we go about having real capable women and not nominated puppets by the government is the real crux of the matter.... arguing and debating over a bone of contention between two parties will only delay more the progress in development that women should be participating. To those who are against it, instead of just being against it, put on your thinking caps and think of how without reservation you can think of women's participation and have it implemented. Then those who are for it and are fighting to have it implemented through reservation have a backup plan too. One of the main handicaps of planning in our region is that very rarely do we consider a plan B that may just appeal all parties.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No, I opposed women reservation not because I fear losing my political power but because such an important issue like equality and women empowerment cannot be reduced to elections. Good governance is both a man and woman responsibility.
• Its not the men who are afraid here, it is the women who are so afraid to compete on the same level that they are asking/demanding for reservation.
• No. There's no reason to air concern or opposition to women reservation because of political assumptions. By the look of things, we still have a long way to go, to get the truth 'cos of our vested interests. Why can't we be true to ourselves, for a blessed God-given future? We can and we should get to the roots, to deliver the good from the bad...for our people tomorrow.
• Y reservation 4 women? Aren't they enjoying equal status in Naga society?
• No, not that… but our Naga women should be rational to understand and respect the value of our traditional and custom practices. We don’t oppose to one’s ability but to uphold the true spirit of what nagas is…
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• Reservations! Special Reservations! and what not reservations !Why don't we use our damned brains to achieve our goals. Next reservation in pipeline would be reservation in promotion for Northern, southern, eastern, western and central nagas.
• Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati, Sushma Swaraj, Jayalalitha, Mamata Banerjee, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher, Hilary Clinton ... None of these women need any reservation to become what they are. They don't need any ten, twenty or thirty percent. Any Naga woman can become Chief Minister, Ato Kilonser or anything they want ... if they possess the ability. Period.
• Instead of fighting for women reservation in Decision making body which will turn out to be the same i.e even if elected they will still be guided and controlled by their party high command (Men). I would prefer our Naga women to fight for reservation in Govt. Jobs, special scholarship for higher education, better health care facilities for women, widow's pension, divorcee protection rights, Right to inheritance etc. Our society has seen women win elections too, even the last municipal election for that matter.
• There are many options that women reservation will lead to negative or positive role of political system. In negative role; firstly, there is more chances that majority of elected woman candidate may be the wife or relative of influential and politician. Secondly, majority of woman may join the politics for the sake of reservation rather than the capability of leadership and social service. Thirdly, Many capable man may lost the opportunity of politics. And so on. In positive role; firstly, the empowerment of women will become strong and benefitted. Secondly, the right of woman will be respected. Thirdly, the traditional culture and custom will be compelled to reform. Fourthly, woman will enjoy in sharing of decision making where corruption may decrease. Fiftly, the mindset of man may change and respected equally. And so on.
• I say "fear." I think women are asking for partnership to collaborate and dream new possibilities. Global economy needs both sexes to read and analyse differently for the same goals. Proposal is win-win for both. Men support your sisters, aunty's and mothers.
• First of all, I'd beg to differ to the statement that 'Naga men are opposing women's reservation' just because some social - mind you, not traditional - organisations are opposed to it. It would be wrong to generalise on such perceptions. Rather than fear I think it is more of a lack of understanding of a larger issue and that of a vision that has brought about this situation and it should be deliberated upon in a much more democratic manner that it is now. On the other hand, the proponents for women's reservation must not see or pitch this as a feminist issue but rather a much larger issue of collective governance and opportunities.
• I am surprised that Naga women have become very pugnacious and petty from the recent events of the 33% reservation question. I cannot help but also feel that the more educated women among us have extracted themselves wholly, if not in part, from traditional or cultural roots of our heritage. If you should only say that Naga men are seeking for total power by dismissing the 33% reservation then you are one-sided, ignorant and out of context. How about cutting out the Western-induced feminism or India's misinterpreted women liberation (Bollywood, item girls etc) and contextualizing to our relevance? I thought women could reason better than men but the popular stance taken by most educated Naga women on this topic has somehow shaken my confidence. Firstly, the issue of 33% reservation is controversial in its creation too. Yet, somehow that has not affected us channelling our grievances through the dismissal of 33% reservation. Is this quota realistic? Really, JAWCR? Will it effectively deal with women issues like domestic violence, Indian army atrocities against women or rape cases etc.? Have we considered those more realistic issues that effect Naga women? Secondly, we're blowing up the whole picture. There is no realistic goal in this particular endeavour, in fact I have not heard any goals being put forward besides very angry rantings. So, what I’d like to ask you: where is reality. We have also, if not, lost a lot of credibility by creating a lot of fuss over a non-issue. Why can't we bring more realistic reforms, why can't we mould existing reforms for the betterment of all Naga women? Are we being absolutely right in fighting for our rights through only the 33% reservation? Seriously, I ask you.
• "Why can't we bring more realistic reforms, why can't we mould existing reforms for the betterment of all Naga women?" Women's participation in policy making for their betterment is absolutely necessary, especially with respect to modern problems which we quietly see, but are not often magnified for fear of retribution and being ostracized. There are a few lucky people who do not see any discrimination at all but the hundreds who face silent discrimination everyday is unbelievable. I personally had the misfortune to experience the condescending attitude of a man in position last week for asserting my ownership with regards to a discrepancy the government had committed for 2 and a half years and him questioning my hard earned wealth being a contribution of my husband! And I am not married!
• I do believe however that how we go about it is absolutely crucial. Being a bra-burning feminist like many of our western counterparts will definitely not work. Neither men nor women would like to feel their positions threatened in any way. It is the condescending attitudes of some men and the overbearing attitude of some women, that needs to be reconciled and a better dialogue with supportive people from both side come together to have a more realistic development. Our traditions such as it is have to evolve too, not by nurturing ridiculous notions but to encompass the overall well being of every citizen be they man or woman. I also believe that sometimes representatives on all sides need to do a broader review and not just make arbitrary decisions saying it is the will of their respective groups... There is a larger population who are not consulted in any way. Tomorrow a group of young women may just rise and say, how about us, how come when our future is being decided you do not include us in your decisions or consult with us what we would want??? and this is for both sides. Having said all that, I do believe the time has come for women to be an important part in decision making but unfortunately, there are only a few women who are bold enough to take up this challenge but economically, they are nowhere in the picture.
• Process must be transparent; honest and respectful. I honestly believe dialog need to take place or else defensive posturing will demonize each other. Labeling does not help anyone.
• I believe the transition of gender roles over the years has also not been effectively identified or re-assessed again. In our terms it is the transition of warrior/head-hunting internecine villages to a more docile society where the role of the male and female is also interchanged. Men do not necessarily have to protect the women as was done before. So, what changes are needed in the status/ role of the male? These are some questions that need to be assessed and effectively addressed. There is few of that and i believe we need more to understand the transition and to achieve a gender-balance in society today. The other question is, besides 'Are we just worth 33%?', is whether the 33% reservation is our only option. The controversy behind the govt passing the resolution bill which was then rejected by the legislative is controversial enough even if we do not add the much discussed gender-tug-of-war-topic. I am also sceptical about political propaganda attached to it in the name of women liberation (which i will buy none of). What i'm asking is really: Is the 33% reservation our only outlet or can we use our energy on other things? More productive things, realistic things or use another alternative to come back to the topic of women liberation, establish a platform where we are able to understand the other gender or raise ourselves even. For example, young Naga girls are prostituting in Lahorijan because of the demands of peer pressure. Can we set up a counselling agency (church-based even) to cater to them and help them out of that situation? Realistic goals like that will benefit, emancipate women from the grass root level. If we uplift our status from the grass root level- deal with domestic violence, rape in Nagaland or mainland cities etc- then we are establishing a firm base, not to talk of unity which is equally important. Coming from those roots are important because advocating from a high platform which is relieved of reality or context will blow up the gender-discussion to inappropriate proportions, i feel. Also, men will not understand or listen. Yes, i do believe culture, traditions need to undergo transitions and evolve but a very important question for Naga women too, is: What, how, where do we see ourselves? That question can be rhetoric too. Things need to evolve, change but we need to make realistic goals, not blow over the gender topic and effectively address and better our grievances and status in society. These are the reasons why i do not fully endorse the 33% reservation Bill, my grandaunt was the first woman MP in Nagaland without a 33% or a reservation bill. If she could darn have done it in her time, why can't we?
• Comparisons will not help anyone. As parents we do not even compare between our two daughters and we do know that they both have their own characteristic trends. What however is important is how willing are we to readily accept things for what they are - reservations or not. Somehow, our society in general is neither gender sensitive nor fair to girls/women. On a personal level I have come across situations where people have reacted so insensitively to the fact that I have two daughters - Oh no son? Try again! Etc. Then there are parents who will say, 'girls don't do that' or 'oh he's a boy...' What we do not realise is that by such small behaviours or comments, we are inculcating the wrong ideas into the next generation. It may take time but let us keep our cool, civility and make our own amends. When the time comes for an idea, it will happen no matter what.
• The greater question is how will the reservation for women in politics help our society in general and the women folks in particular. As of now our society is plagued with many women centric problems like rapes cases which is on a high, and however much we deny it the truth is women especially the uneducated ones are not really getting their dues. So it has been felt that if women are part of politics maybe they can do well to address such issues with a feeling of empathy. I am not saying that male politicians lack that however the "in the shoes" feeling is totally different. And moreover in our society women are not part of the decision making set up in most families, so most women don’t go out of the way to play the lead in social issues and this also explains our lack of women politicians. Though women are not stopped from entering politics directly there are so many issues that indirectly acts as a barrier (negative attitude of the family, society etc). Hence it is felt that maybe reservation could upto a certain extent address such feelings. The reservation is just a sign of assurance to women that if they are willing even if society is not very accommodating, the law is and hence they can be a part of politics if they want to be.
• I wish women would seek for individuality, respect for womanhood from their partners, change the concept of 'woman was created for man', right to inheritance, widow's right to inheritance and remarry, etc than 33% reservation. And one thing is to be noted here; women in Naga society and Indian society is incomparable. As far as contesting elections or pursuing careers is concerned our society do not discriminate much as that of mainland India. Most of our problem relates to that of male and female concept and interpretation of their roles without much of shackling their personality. Of course there are areas where much is deserved.
