Kohima | July 29 : Former Judge of Supreme Court of India and Chairman of UP Human Rights’ Commission, Justice KK Sema has said if women are deprived of any social provisions by the state, it is a denial of rights guaranteed to women under the Indian Constitution.
The former judge was addressing women during a state-level seminar organized by Nagaland State Commission for Women and the department of Women Development of Nagaland at the Heritage, Kohima. Justice Sema said, keeping in mind the social and economic obstacles suffered by women in India, the legislature in their wisdom INSERT IGNOREed clause (3) in Article 15 to enable women to participate in the socio-economic progress of the nation. It aspires to eliminate the socio-economic backwardness of women and to empower them in a way that would bring about effective equality between men and women.
“For a women of honor, what is dearest to her is her modesty, when a women is ravished what is inflicted is not merely physical injury, but she carries deep scar mark of death-less shame throughout her life”, said Sema. The consequences are grave, the former Supreme Court judge stated –she would be ostracized by the society, thrown out of the family although not of her fault, looked down upon by everybody with the accusing finger. Thus, Sema said, life with dignity becomes a mockery for the woman. This indignity is also a violation of the mandate of Article 21 of the constitution, he said.
Asserting that Nagas are no more infants, he said the Nagas, state and legislature are matured and passing an Act like Nagaland Municipal Act where provisions are made for the reservation of seats for women is a sign of maturity. However, he said, a change of mindset is the need of the hour as time has come for Nagas to think globally and act locally.
Sema maintained that ‘when we march ahead, today must be better than yesterday, tomorrow must be better than today and the future must be better than the past.’ The future belongs to the younger and new generations he said and urged to let the new generation decide own futures according to the changing and prevailing times.
With the performance of the women security force in the state, women officers in the administrative such as the IAS, IPS and NCS, Sema said, the people ought to ponder on reality and change their mindsets, remove gender bias from ‘our’ hearts.
Expert member on NE, National Commission for Women Rosemary Dzuvichu who addressed on the topic “Present Scenario of Atrocities against women”, said violation of constitutional rights of women and violation of fundamental rights are the first things that needs redress. Stating that time has come to sit and talk about “customary law”, the Expert member reminded that that if “customary law” and judgment is not acceptable to the society it can be changed by the public by raising their voice.
She regretted that there are no women ‘Dobashi’ in Nagaland and women are not included in the local decision making process.
She further lamented on the condition of the Police in the state. There are no proper trained investigators or forensic facilities, she said. There is a need for higher officers in the investigative process in any case. She also pointed to the need to introduce a women cell in every district headquarter to handle crime.
Referring to Dimapur as a crime city, Rosemary called for stronger co-ordination between the district administration and police along with the victim’s family for thorough investigation. She also suggested that if a victim or accused is from the same tribe as the investigative officer’s, the same officer should not be assigned for investigation. DIG Renchamo P Kikon, IPS, spoke on the role of police in safeguarding women’s rights. He said the police department has lot to address and in many ways there aren’t many successful stories. However, he said, efforts are exerted. He also lamented that due to lack of cooperation from the public or victim, cases often go cold and successful.
The DIG called upon the gathering to come out in the open and speak their grievances. He assured that confidentiality will be maintained by the police. ‘We need to work vigorously so that violence against women can be eradicated and offenders can be punished as per the law,’ Kikon said.
The former judge was addressing women during a state-level seminar organized by Nagaland State Commission for Women and the department of Women Development of Nagaland at the Heritage, Kohima. Justice Sema said, keeping in mind the social and economic obstacles suffered by women in India, the legislature in their wisdom INSERT IGNOREed clause (3) in Article 15 to enable women to participate in the socio-economic progress of the nation. It aspires to eliminate the socio-economic backwardness of women and to empower them in a way that would bring about effective equality between men and women.
“For a women of honor, what is dearest to her is her modesty, when a women is ravished what is inflicted is not merely physical injury, but she carries deep scar mark of death-less shame throughout her life”, said Sema. The consequences are grave, the former Supreme Court judge stated –she would be ostracized by the society, thrown out of the family although not of her fault, looked down upon by everybody with the accusing finger. Thus, Sema said, life with dignity becomes a mockery for the woman. This indignity is also a violation of the mandate of Article 21 of the constitution, he said.
Asserting that Nagas are no more infants, he said the Nagas, state and legislature are matured and passing an Act like Nagaland Municipal Act where provisions are made for the reservation of seats for women is a sign of maturity. However, he said, a change of mindset is the need of the hour as time has come for Nagas to think globally and act locally.
Sema maintained that ‘when we march ahead, today must be better than yesterday, tomorrow must be better than today and the future must be better than the past.’ The future belongs to the younger and new generations he said and urged to let the new generation decide own futures according to the changing and prevailing times.
With the performance of the women security force in the state, women officers in the administrative such as the IAS, IPS and NCS, Sema said, the people ought to ponder on reality and change their mindsets, remove gender bias from ‘our’ hearts.
Expert member on NE, National Commission for Women Rosemary Dzuvichu who addressed on the topic “Present Scenario of Atrocities against women”, said violation of constitutional rights of women and violation of fundamental rights are the first things that needs redress. Stating that time has come to sit and talk about “customary law”, the Expert member reminded that that if “customary law” and judgment is not acceptable to the society it can be changed by the public by raising their voice.
She regretted that there are no women ‘Dobashi’ in Nagaland and women are not included in the local decision making process.
She further lamented on the condition of the Police in the state. There are no proper trained investigators or forensic facilities, she said. There is a need for higher officers in the investigative process in any case. She also pointed to the need to introduce a women cell in every district headquarter to handle crime.
Referring to Dimapur as a crime city, Rosemary called for stronger co-ordination between the district administration and police along with the victim’s family for thorough investigation. She also suggested that if a victim or accused is from the same tribe as the investigative officer’s, the same officer should not be assigned for investigation. DIG Renchamo P Kikon, IPS, spoke on the role of police in safeguarding women’s rights. He said the police department has lot to address and in many ways there aren’t many successful stories. However, he said, efforts are exerted. He also lamented that due to lack of cooperation from the public or victim, cases often go cold and successful.
The DIG called upon the gathering to come out in the open and speak their grievances. He assured that confidentiality will be maintained by the police. ‘We need to work vigorously so that violence against women can be eradicated and offenders can be punished as per the law,’ Kikon said.
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