Chizokho Vero
Kohima | October 30
Minister for agriculture Kuzholuzo Nienu today challenged all Naga women to move toward a new horizon for a better tomorrow. “It has been only a few months since the setting up of the Nagaland Women Commission after the passing of the Nagaland Women Act, 2006 by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. However, during this few months, the Nagaland Women Commission members have been striving hard for highlighting the key issue and challenges that women of Nagaland are facing today,” the minister told the national seminar on the theme “Towards a new horizon” under the aegis of Nagaland State Commission for Women here at Hotel Japfu.
Women over the world have excelled themselves in all walks of life, the minister said adding “in that context the theme of the seminar ‘Towards a new horizon’ gives ample scope for the women of Nagaland to analyze the retrospect to plan out the future agenda.” Stating that there were certain issues that can be addressed by the state government on priority, the minister believed that some actions are being planned.
Also pointing out the key issues pertaining to empowerment of women and to ensure that they play key role in decision-making processes at the VDB level, in the municipal councils and town councils, the minister said there is a need to clearly define the role of women in the communitization policy.
“Similarly, cases of sexual harassment of all kinds need to be properly identified and corrective measures should be taken,” Azo said.
The Minister was hopeful that the seminar would address many of the issues and come up with a concept paper that can help policy-makers formulate right policies for empowerment of women in all areas.
Also addressing the programme Women Development Parliamentary Secretary Kaito Ayeh, hoped that Naga women would take advantage of the presence of Nagaland State Women Commission, “not only to redress their grievances, but also to add to their opportunities and establish their rights.”
In Nagaland, Ayeh said, women constituting 47.6 per cent of the population, have always been accorded a respectable place in the traditional Naga society, which she enjoys to this day, as compared to her counterparts in many other states of India.
Apart from traditional practices that have generally cared for women and the girl child, Naga women have played a pivotal role, individually and collectively, in helping the communities survive and in enabling human development across the Naga society, the parliamentary secretary said.
However, he said, what must be kept in mind is that the vast majority of Naga women are still engaged in agriculture and they play a limited role in institutional politics.
At present there are no women in either the state assembly or in the parliament. Yet, women have remained active participants in the electoral process since statehood. Another public sphere where women have played central roles is in the arena of peace. The peace movements, if not led by women, are overwhelmingly supported by them, he added.
The message of Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, who could not make it to the programme due to an “urgent and pressing” engagement in New Delhi, was read out on the occasion.
Neeva Konwar, member, National Commission for Women was the guest of honour and later launched “Chalo Gaon Ki Ore” and “Mera Didi Se Pucho” on the occasion.
She challenged the Naga women to go to the villages and create awareness in every block on the rights and various schemes available for their welfare. She was hopeful that the Nagaland State Commission for Women will pay special attention on that area. Also referring to various Acts, Konwar stressed on the need to increase the volume of its implementation.
Abeni TCK, member NSCW stated that the seminar will bring out certain recommendations and it will be submitted to the state government as well as National Commission for Women. Chairpersons of SCW from Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura also spoke on the occasion. The seminar will go on till October 31. Valedictory session will take place at 3:30 PM with Talitemjen Ao, Chief Information Commissioner as the chief guest.
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