The dismay that was expressed by the Watsü Mungdang, the apex Ao women’s organization by way of a protest march against the rape of two women last month in Mokokchung is but a sad reminder on the pitiable condition of women folk within Naga society despite the clamor that they enjoy equal rights as men and that they are far better off than their counterparts in other places. The argument on the enviable status of Naga women is itself ill conceived and completely negates the true picture and something that official statistics have tended to muffle either intentionally or for want of more in-depth study. The series of assaults—both rape and other offences—being carried out against the women folk appear to be increasing with time and this requires appropriate intervention at several levels because the problem itself is not one-dimensional. The slogans used by the protestors in Mokokchung—“Where are you Police?" “Respect women’s rights”, “Women are partners, not toys”, “Preserve Ao Naga tradition of respect for women” and “Respect for women is self respect”—conveys in truth the deteriorating condition that women find themselves within a patronizing, patriarchal and power mongering system. Women specific assaults will continue to occur unless our society challenge and change the ‘culture’ that sustains it.
When we look at who has power in society and who makes the major decisions, we see that men still dominate our institutions—government, banks, business, medical, legal, media, religious, educational and the family. Further in Nagaland the legal system is unfavorable and very few women actually report crime. This attitude and behaviour towards women in general is no doubt intrinsically linked with the social, economic and political context and in the present has created a power imbalance between men and women. Rape not only reflect but reinforce gender inequality. In one of our earliest news feature on ‘sexual assault’ under the column ‘Public Agenda’ (Impressions) the findings on the aforementioned topic pointed out that sexual assault is the soft underbelly of the patriarchal system and that it was the tool to keep women out of the power system.
Rape is not only about an act of intercourse but also the emotional pain of sexual oppression and physical abuse. Unfortunately, it is glaringly obvious that our society is mostly unconscious of or in denial about such sexual assaults so much so that there is a dark cloak of secrecy about this whole topic. Perhaps what is needed is generating awareness and policies which can help bring about change. The Nagaland Women Commission is in the best position to take up women centric issues and intervene accordingly. Based on the memorandum submitted by the Watsu Mungdang, the State Government in tandem with the Women Commission should take appropriate measures to deal with such criminal acts. For too long now, we have been under the impression that rape is merely an aberration. This is both misleading and ignores the grim reality. And given the changing nature of crime and violence especially targeting women and children this calls for corrections in customary laws and enforcement mechanisms besides policy and institutional arrangement to respond meaningfully.
