TSEMINYU, MARCH 21 (MExN): “No society can remain static or un-touched by the changes that time brings,” asserted Dr Temsula Ao, Chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW). She was addressing a gathering at the seminar on ‘Legal rights of women in marriage, divorce and inheritance and health education – HIV/AIDS,’ organized by the NSCW at Tseminyu on March 20.
Dr Temsula stated that “we derive our being and identity in the continuity and strength of customary laws and traditional practices.” “This is what marks us as Nagas in the collective sense,” she added. She further acknowledged that, “we are living under a new dispensation called the state of Nagaland, where both men and women are supposed to be governed equally under the provisions of laws adopted by the state.” However, she lamented that “in many instances,” when it comes to the question of marriage, divorce and inheritance, “customary laws are invoked, which are more often than not, detrimental for the woman.”
She further viewed that there “are variations or even contradictions in these traditional laws among the various Naga tribes,” which according to Dr Temsula, “pose serious problems when there is an inter-tribe marriage.”
She stressed on the need to address these issues through consultations and appealed to all, especially the male-dominated Hohos, to incorporate the necessary amendments, so that “anomalies regarding women’s rights in the old laws may be removed” and due rights given to women in these matters.
The Rengma Hoho, Rengma Mothers’ Association, Dobashis, Gaonburas, Rengma Officers Forum, Rengma Students’ Union and representative of units of Rengma Mothers’ Association from nearby villages participated in the event. ADC Tseminyu, Vikhenuo delivered the welcome address. The programme was chaired by Kakheli Jakhalu, Member of the Commission and Asangla Cholong, Member NSCW thanked all the participants on behalf of the Commission. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from the Rengma Mothers’ Association President, Kelisha.
