Any social structure or a setup consists of a conglomerate of men and women; a conglomerate of families and groups, institutions and the like. The functioning of a composite unit of a social setup can be best studied threadbare from a family setup. A family is the smallest unit of a society. In a family, a man and a woman are not mutually exclusive. Imagine a family in which the woman is just a mute spectator with no function or role to play at all. The importance of a women and the role she plays is one which cannot be denied. The course and the history of the family, the well-being and the stability of it are not only because of the man alone. Quite ironically it is the women, role-playing as the anchorage and the primary caretaker that provides a home. A society consists of individuals as much as the family do, though in a more numerical proportion. Decisions for the well-being of the society are made at the appropriate level as much so in the family too.
Socio-cultural mores, ethos, belief systems and practices are tenets that identify the roots of a racial or ethnic group of people with all its acceptable and detestable traits. Practices and actions are learned and followed down through the generations unquestionably deeming it as the gospel truth in many cases. Our mental belief becomes attuned in following those practises over the years in a more automated fashion, giving it the least thought on the detrimental aspects, if there be any. A not so commendable customary practise of some Indian villages in Rajasthan was taken up by CNN- Trapped by Traditions, called the “CNN Freedom Project” and was aired few seasons back. Often young girls are pushed into prostitution business by their own fathers and brothers saying it’s a tradition that has been passed down through generation and sees nothing wrong in it.
Such is the fallacy of many a traditions and customs that hinders the growth of mankind. Though this does not necessarily mean that our cultural practices and customs have been detrimental so far, contrarily there are many high standing values and good practices not found elsewhere. But it does help to question, evaluate, formulate and make amends to practices, as it does for any process or human activity in order to have good results. I may not be off mark in saying that , who knows our State might have been placed in a far better position than that of now had we had the wisdom to introspect and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of many of the customs and traditions followed over the years. With changing times, laws and constitutions changes to suit the best fit for any given situation or place, so that justice is delivered. Any statute that does not deliver justice to a situation and the individuals involved cannot be termed as one worth practicing.
Empowering women came into force internationally through the United Nations’ mandate of 1954 “UN Convention on the Political rights of Women” ensuring equal rights to vote, hold office, and access public services as provided for male citizens within national laws. Some of the Worlds prominent intellectuals have stressed on the need for gender equity. To quote one, Professor Amartya Sen, Nobel laureate from Harvard University, in his book “Development as freedom”-1999, has stated that alleviating deprivation and inequality in the political realm can thus have far reaching consequences not only for women but for everyone. Mainland India, which has a very poor track record of women’s’ emancipation, faring far worse that of the status enjoyed by the womenfolk’s of our State, too felt the need to include the fairer gender at the level of policy and decision making if the country has to progress.
Studies on relational functioning of men and women groups shows contrasting styles. The style of leadership amongst women shows no distinct hierarchical structure, embodying a more democratic form of participation unlike the more heirarchied structure of a male group. Women, conventionally the primary caretaker of children advances not only for women’s rights, but also the rights of the children, investing in child and education which have a long term consequence. Their deep commitment to peace building and post-conflict management reconstruction gives a unique and powerful perspective to bring to the negotiating table.
Further studies from both industrialised and developed countries indicates that women in local government tend to advance social issues like health, nutrition, education and infrastructures like roads, drinking water etc. There is a growing realization that women’s’ equal rights and opportunities are inexorably linked to peace, prosperity, human development and democracy. It has been seen that women’s political participation has profound positive and democratic impact on communities, legislatures, political parties and citizen’s lives, hence perceived as more sensitive towards the needs of the community and the constituency. The role of women and their voices are becoming more important than ever as witnessed during the last global economic crisis, political transition in the Arab World, Environmental disasters etc. Many international funding agencies looks at the appropriate level of women’s participation and the benefits thereof before venturing.
The Nordic countries have a very long history of women’s participation in both politics and corporate setups. These countries are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and are all placed in the Very High Human Development category of HDI released by the UNDP. The Human Development Index is rated in terms of life expectancy, literacy, education, standards of living and quality of life for a country. The govt. of Norway in 2002 mandated the public companies to fill corporate boards with 40% women. The country came through the global economic crisis better that most and is regularly rated as the best country to live by the United Nations.
Supong Ao
Lower forest colony Kohima
