• Naga women do not have equal rights, says NSCW Chairperson
• Role of women in decision making has to be strengthened: CS
Chizokho Vero
Meriema | March 8
To mark the International Women’s Day, the Nagaland State Government today informed that it is actively considering a proposal for increasing maternity leave for female employees to 180 days to bring it at par with the central government. The current maternity leave period in the state is 90 days.
This was announced by Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar during the observance of International Women’s Day 2017 at Nagaland University Kohima campus, Meriema.
For women to receive equal opportunities and rights by 2030, the Chief Secretary said there is plenty of work to be done in the state. He stressed on better availability of water in villages and towns in order to augment the productivity of women; the need for more institutional deliveries thereby facilitating better health care for mother and child; the need to bridge the literacy gap of 6.6% among males and females; and to strengthen the role of women in decision making in public affairs. Kumar also lauded women for making their mark in several fields, including the uniformed services.
NSCW Chairperson, Dr Temsula Ao meanwhile lamented that despite efforts, changes in the status of women envisioned by sates and the UN have not materialised, especially in developing and under developed countries.
Regarding the 33% reservation to ULBs, she expressed optimism that women would eventually gain entry into the decision making process. The first step, she maintained, is to acknowledge that Naga women do not have equal rights. She stressed on the need to look back at “our past activities and decide where we have gone wrong to antagonize our men folks so that today we find ourselves almost pushed to the wall of our initial subjugation.” “We cannot expect to see overnight dislocation in the centuries –old system of governance of our villages,” she said, while noting that women’s empowerment should begin from ground level.
Dr Temsula meanwhile stressed that being bold should never be equated with being aggressive and confrontational, and called for both men and women to work together for a peaceful and harmonious Nagaland where everyone is given her/his due rights. She further said that it is time to approach traditional patriarchs and tell them to introspect about injustice embedded in customary laws and traditions regarding the status of women.
“We should invite them to work together to remove these archaic laws which have been perpetuated by their egoistic intransigence. Let us make them understand that when we ask for our rights, we are only trying to strengthen the fabric of our society by adding to it the strength of women for the ultimate good of all Nagas,” Dr Temsula said.
Minister for Social Welfare & Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie in his address said International Women’s Day is all about unity, reflection, advocacy and action. “We acknowledge all the women in our lives-mothers, wives, daughters, our friends and colleagues,” he said, while echoing the call for gender parity.
Professor Buno Liegise from Nagaland University meanwhile spoke on the topic ‘Empowering through quality education’ and stressed on a holistic approach to education, which unravels people’s potential to face challenges.
Mission Director, SRCW & Secretary NSSWB Daisy Mezhur highlighted on the One Stop Centre & Women Helpline (181). She informed that the Women Helpline No 181 can be contacted for any issue related to women and violence against women, and added that the centre has received 22000 calls till date.
