Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 8
Naga women, like women all over the world are facing an acute challenge in areas of equal rights and human security. With increasing incidents of violence against women in Nagaland, The Morung Express gathered opinions from women, old and young alike to get a sense of whether they feel safe in their own local contexts.
Inatoli, student leader, felt that provision for safety of women is what the need of the hour is. She commented, “Growing up and when I was in College, I used to tell my friends that Naga women are very independent, fiery and kind at heart. We are all that. But coming home, looking at the environment we have to deal and live in, it is a scary thought.” She sums it all up in her parting shot, “…What happened to the Nagaland I am proud of? What happened to the Nagaland where love, kindness and compassion reside? What happened to the Nagaland where the women were treated with the utmost respect?”
Vishu Rita Krocha, a writer said “it’s a shame I cannot even confidently say that I feel completely safe in my own home town.
With the increasing number of crime against women taking place, I always have second thoughts about booking a taxi, especially when I am working late. We always brag about women being treated respectfully but I think of our women silently endure so much.”
LT Constance, who has lived and worked in several countries, and currently in Dimapur stated, “Violence strikes women in epidemic proportion worldwide. And compared to other cities in India, I feel that though the dynamics of our society is changing and violence against women is on the rise, Nagaland is still safe for women. And with a combination of efforts, Nagaland can get better.”
Wapangla Imchen, lecturer, shared that as a working professional with day time working hours, she feels safe but could not imagine working at late hours. She opined that violence against women is an issue that has existed in Naga society for a long time, but women are more courageous to reveal it now. With the emerging heightened sense of awareness she feels it will reduce such incidents in future. “I always say that the status of Naga women in our society is like drama being enacted in front of the stage. We blame the non-Nagas of being abusive to their women but our Naga men have a bigger problem of respecting the position and views of their women. Even most of the so-called educated men still cannot accept the changes that women are equal to men. I feel despair at what’s going on with our society.”
Tina Sumi, media professional, feels that Naga women have achieved so much in every field yet there are instances where men talk about ‘unpleasant things’ about successful women even though they might not know her at all. We may have achieved so much in the past one decade but Naga women still have to prove that we are equally at par with man in every walk of life.
