Khrienuo Metha
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | February 2
Breaking gender barriers for women leadership in Naga civil society, Khrienuo Metha was elected President of the Metha Thinuo Krotho Dimapur, a traditional institution of the Metha clan. Like most tribal organisations in the State, the civil society organisation has never had a woman president prior to this with only male members dominating the key positions.
In an exclusive interview with The Morung Express, the newly elected president, Khrienuo Metha expresses, “we, being such a patriarchal kind of a society, every meeting, every kind of union or village meeting, most meetings, women are not required to be there. Therefore, many meetings we miss out on what is happening with the village issues, clan issues, or those serious matters, we tend to be away from it.”
As she takes on this new role, she is a little worried—“I was a little hesitant because you know, you are not a part of these serious meetings.” However, the new appointment is likely to change that. “Our Metha menfolk have shown their far sightedness, their broadmindedness, their vision and most importantly, their magnanimity in selecting a lady to be the President of a clan in the district,” she expresses.
“We have our main Krotho, and Metha Thinuo Krotho Dimapur is just a subsidiary of that,” she points out. But a lot of appreciation from across all sections of the society irrespective of men and women or tribe, has poured in for this path-breaking development. “Although it’s just a clan we are talking about, it definitely needs the support of all of you”, she states.
When asked if she believes her appointment will inspire more civil society organisations to elect women leaders, she also exudes hope. “I hope that all of you support me, and other tribes also believe in it”, she states and further adds “I have always felt that we women need to do our bit, not fight.”
Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha termed this as a “landmark” while congratulating the newly elected president. “While this is an achievement in itself, the fact that a clan decided to elect a woman as president is the real deal. It is quite unthinkable to imagine a traditional civil society headed by a woman especially in such a male dominated society and particularly Angami/Tenyimia”, he told The Morung Express.
Metha goes on to say that “it is really a big deal and sends out such a strong message.” Pointing out that “we cannot undermine the fact that this decision directly challenges traditional attitudes”, he also asserts that, “if we are to progress, it is stories like these that need to invade our thought process especially of those people who stick on to tradition so much without willing to change and accept realities.”
On Saturday evening, Abu Metha had also posted on Facebook about it while terming it as “envelope pushing and glass ceiling breaking”. “I so believe that women in leadership roles will only do good for our society, a society that needs so much healing and humane approaches. I am also so proud of my clan members for this inspirational decision and best wishes to Madam President for a successful tenure”, he had shared.
Mention may be made here that Khrienuo Metha who got into the Nagaland Government service in the year 1983, was the first NCS (Nagaland Civil Service) woman officer from the Angami tribe. She was also the first NCS woman officer from Nagaland to be appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2009, serving in Peren. She eventually held the position of Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, before she retired in 2017.
