Hope comes from grass root level
In spite of stiff opposition towards implementing 33% reservation for women in decision making bodies in Nagaland, a glimmer of hope emerges from the grass root level as more women are being made equal partners with men. Women like Tokheli Kikon, Village Council Chairperson of Naharbari Village, Dimapur and Suniho Zhimomi, Village Development Board Secretary of Xukhepu, Zunheboto have already taken on the reigns of grass root politics. And taking it a notch higher is the Sema Tila Council’s resolution to implement the 33% women reservation in the Council body.
Although traditional administrative setups are exempted from implementing 33% reservation for women, it is seen as a symbolic move. Sema Tila Council, Dimapur on May 7 took a unanimous decision to implement 33% women reservation; the first in the State. Accordingly, Kanili Kinimi and Kaholi H Chishi were elected as members to the Council. The resolution was adopted after much deliberation despite opposition from several members of the colony. Sema Tila Council was established in 1990 and has never included a women member in the Council before.
Traditional administrative set ups in Nagaland are considered an important component of the governance system. They act as the linkage towards holistic development and are vital for decentralizing governance and decision making. But, the proposal to have reservation for women in local bodies has also not been implemented thoroughly except stray cases of women’s participation.
it is observed that women are invited only to complete the quorum. Even in the urban areas, where mass political participation and awareness among women is higher, they are left out in decision making.
Observers have opined that ignorance of women about their rights and procedures has kept them far behind men in the local bodies. But for many it is the criminalization of politics that has decreased the level of political participation of women. “Communitisation has encouraged corruption at the grass root level. These days’ people resort to corrupt and criminal means to get elected as VDB secretary or council chairman,” an observer said.
But there are still some women who are ready to break barriers of gender to emerge as major decision makers. “Women must be included in decision making. The only changes can be made in the system,” said Kinimi, a newly elected Council member. She said that women are more rational, composed, and less corrupt. Women issues are also better understood by women, she added. This, perhaps, is an indication that women can no longer be mere beneficiaries but equal contributors to decision making at all levels.
In spite of stiff opposition towards implementing 33% reservation for women in decision making bodies in Nagaland, a glimmer of hope emerges from the grass root level as more women are being made equal partners with men. Women like Tokheli Kikon, Village Council Chairperson of Naharbari Village, Dimapur and Suniho Zhimomi, Village Development Board Secretary of Xukhepu, Zunheboto have already taken on the reigns of grass root politics. And taking it a notch higher is the Sema Tila Council’s resolution to implement the 33% women reservation in the Council body.
Although traditional administrative setups are exempted from implementing 33% reservation for women, it is seen as a symbolic move. Sema Tila Council, Dimapur on May 7 took a unanimous decision to implement 33% women reservation; the first in the State. Accordingly, Kanili Kinimi and Kaholi H Chishi were elected as members to the Council. The resolution was adopted after much deliberation despite opposition from several members of the colony. Sema Tila Council was established in 1990 and has never included a women member in the Council before.
Traditional administrative set ups in Nagaland are considered an important component of the governance system. They act as the linkage towards holistic development and are vital for decentralizing governance and decision making. But, the proposal to have reservation for women in local bodies has also not been implemented thoroughly except stray cases of women’s participation.
it is observed that women are invited only to complete the quorum. Even in the urban areas, where mass political participation and awareness among women is higher, they are left out in decision making.
Observers have opined that ignorance of women about their rights and procedures has kept them far behind men in the local bodies. But for many it is the criminalization of politics that has decreased the level of political participation of women. “Communitisation has encouraged corruption at the grass root level. These days’ people resort to corrupt and criminal means to get elected as VDB secretary or council chairman,” an observer said.
But there are still some women who are ready to break barriers of gender to emerge as major decision makers. “Women must be included in decision making. The only changes can be made in the system,” said Kinimi, a newly elected Council member. She said that women are more rational, composed, and less corrupt. Women issues are also better understood by women, she added. This, perhaps, is an indication that women can no longer be mere beneficiaries but equal contributors to decision making at all levels.
Sema Tila Council implements 33 per cent reservation for women
The Sema Tila Council, Dimapur has unanimously decided to implement 33% women reservation in the Council body. The decision to this effect was taken on May 7, 2011 at a general body meeting. Accordingly, the Council has elected Kanili Kinilimi and Kaholi H Chishi as members. The decision was taken after much deliberation despite stiff opposition from some members.
A press release issued by Sema Tila Council Chairman, Khuwoto Chishi stated that no woman has ever been elected or even considered to become members in the council since the Council’s formation in 1990. There has been stiff opposition in the past but the change been made possible due to support from senior citizens, the note stated.
The other newly elected members are Kuhwoto Chishi (Chairman), Toikhu Assumi (Secretary), Hotoshe Chopy (Treasurer) and Hokivi Chishi, Kawoto Zhimo, Avito Chishi, Kasheto Chopy, Shikiho Chopy as members. The Sema Tila Council has appealed to all colony members to extend cooperation and support for effective functioning of the council.
A press release issued by Sema Tila Council Chairman, Khuwoto Chishi stated that no woman has ever been elected or even considered to become members in the council since the Council’s formation in 1990. There has been stiff opposition in the past but the change been made possible due to support from senior citizens, the note stated.
The other newly elected members are Kuhwoto Chishi (Chairman), Toikhu Assumi (Secretary), Hotoshe Chopy (Treasurer) and Hokivi Chishi, Kawoto Zhimo, Avito Chishi, Kasheto Chopy, Shikiho Chopy as members. The Sema Tila Council has appealed to all colony members to extend cooperation and support for effective functioning of the council.
