Wokha: Seminar on legal rights of women on ‘Marriage, Divorce & Inheritance’ & ‘Health Education-HIV/AIDS’ was held on February 25 at LTC Hall. The seminar was organised by Nagaland State Commission for Women in collaboration for Women, New Delhi.
Chairperson, NSCW, Dr. Temsula Ao while giving the introductory remark felt the need to look at our present social set-up and explore ways and means to bring in some changes so that the inequalities inherent in our traditional system regarding social and economic status of our girls and women can be removed.
Through these advocacy programmes we realize that mere information about women’s legal rights is not enough if we do not discuss the most basic and crucial issue of customary laws and practices regarding women’s rights especially on marriage, divorce and inheritance, she maintained. Stating that it was not the intention to contest, confront or quarrel about the existing customary laws governing the various Naga tribes, she requested the Kyong men folks in incorporating amendments into the existing laws to remove the disadvantages and ensure their interest. She also appealed to all Kyong leaders to put their heads together and find a just solution to remove the imbalance in our customary laws which are still stacked against the interests of girls and women because these girls and women are our own and living in the same society.
This is your chance to become the pioneers of an enlightened Naga Society where men and women can work and live together as equals in all respects, she exhorted. Take this step and lead the other tribes also towards this new Naga society and empower us in the Commission to carry your message to the rest of the Naga tribes in the various districts, she added.
President Lotha Gazetted Officer Union Ramongo Jami (IAS) who also spoke during the function, urged the gathering to change their mindset to cope with the changing world and to bring about reformation in the society. Pointing out that men are women are equal he called upon the men folk to respect the rights of women reiterating that women are equally responsible and contributes for the progress of the society.
Customs and traditions will always remain with us but with the change of time modification should come to adapt with the changing world said President Kyong Hoho Yansathung Jami. He also called upon the women folk to come out openly and fight for their rights. Usage of customary laws and practices cannot be avoided but need modification in certain areas which ever in not relevant in the present society and acceptable to the society for better co-existence, added Jami.
Short speeches were also delivered by V/President, DVB’s Union Wokha, President GB’s Union and General Secretary Kyong Students Union. In the second session Dr.Yanren Gynaecologist highlighted on ‘Legal Rights of Women on Health & HIV/AIDS. The function was chaired by Kakheli Jakhalu, Member NSCW while vote of thanks was proposed by Asangla Cholong, Member, NSCW.
