Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 23
The Nagaland State cabinet today in a landmark decision has agreed in principle to constitute Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW). The decision was taken at a Cabinet sitting in Kohima, Thursday.
According to the cabinet decision, the women’s commission on formal investiture would cover wide aspects of areas relating to the safeguard of women under the constitution and other laws and thereby “further improving” the conditions of women in Nagaland. The Commission would also from time to time, review the existing provisions of the constitution and other laws effecting women. It would recommend amendments so as to suggest remedial legislative measures to meet any lacunae, inadequacies or shortcomings in such legislations, according to a release issued by V Sakhrie, Secretary, IPR. The commission would also take up cases with the appropriate authorities, violation of the provisions of the constitution and other laws relating to women, while at the same time look into the complaints for redressals.
The cabinet expressed hope that the constitution of the Nagaland State Women Commission would go a long way in paving the way for betterment and further improving the standard of Naga women and “of course along with their conscious duties and responsibilities as well” according to the release.
Meanwhile, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has welcomed the State cabinet’s decision albeit a tad cautiously. Khesheli Chishi, President of the NMA while terming the development as “very good” said that it was a step ahead. “Taking the decision is one thing and actually implementing the decision is another” Chishi said adding that it has been a long-standing demand of women in Nagaland for a commission.
Rosemary Dzuvichu, Expert Member of North-Eastern states, National Commission for Women was also guarded in her reaction to the Cabinet’s decision. “Agreeing in principal is one thing and adopting the decision (in actuality) is another. The Government did not hand it (the proposal for instituting a women commission in Nagaland) on a platter but even the decision itself was taken only after pressure from women themselves” Dzuvichu said.
