Chizokho Vero
Kohima | August 22
Women in Nagaland have a great reason to rejoice as its long-felt desire for having a state commission for women got an added boost at the Assembly session today with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio moving for introduction of Nagaland Women Commission Bill, 2006. “This bill is in pursuance of the government’s commitment to continue its efforts in improving the status of women in Naga society,” Rio said.
In a statement of objects and reasons, Rio said that the commission, which this bill seeks to constitute, will empower women with bold initiatives set for it in its functions. The proposed commission will be an all women Commission and government would see that the Secretariat that is provided to the Commission also comprises mainly women. “With the constitution of the Commission and its proper functioning, the status of women in Naga society is bound to be strengthened,” Rio said. The consideration and passing of the bill has been scheduled for August 24.
The Commission shall study, research and codify the customary law relating to Naga women, family institutions, social security for women and children, tribe wise, district wise and on other basis that may be considered necessary, for protecting family institutions from breaking up and for protecting against children particularly girl children from being rendered as orphans.
It would also study, research and report on the advisability of reorienting some of the customary laws and practices into legislative enactments, study and research on all Acts of Parliament including Civil Procedure Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Penal Code etc. regarding their applicability or otherwise to Naga women, for enabling the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to take appropriate action under article 371-A (I) (a) of the Constitution of India.
The Commission shall also study, research and report on all Acts of Nagaland Legislative Assembly that affect women so as to plug loopholes and for more effective implementation. It would also study research and report on the advisability of including specific provisions in the Constitution of India for further protecting the interests of women in Nagaland, both in general and special ways.
The Commission shall also formulate the draft of the Nagaland Women Empowerment Policy with the Women Development department; formulate alternatives policies for the socio-economic and educational advancement of women in Nagaland for consideration of the state government.
Other functions of the commission comprises, to study, research and report on the conditions of women, in general, and in Nagaland, condition of women in private and public work places in Nagaland, conditions of women in jails, remand homes and other places of custody to ameliorate their conditions against atrocities and human rights violation.
It would also receive complaints relating to the status, conditions and affairs of women from individuals and bodies, investigate them and report to the state government and perform all other functions which are connected with or incidental to functions enumerated above.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to make special study, research, investigation and inquiry into matters or questions affecting the welfare and empowerment of women in Nagaland, that are referred by the State Government to the Commission.
In another development, Parliamentary Secretary for Women Development Kaito also laid a copy of the Nagaland Women Development Service Rules, 2006.
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