DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): Stating out that exclusion of women in decision making was one of the important factors for the failure to bring about a lasting solution to the conflict situation in Nagaland, Rosemary Dzuvichu said it is ironic as the immense contribution of Naga women towards peace is recognized even by the outside world. Speaking at the second day of the “Peace is Possible” seminar Rosemary said women were the most effected by the 50 odd years of the Naga struggle for self determination having faced abuse and losing their rights to security and protection yet they had never been considered when decisions were to be made to resolve conflicts by leading tribal Hohos, Naga Hoho or even the State Government.
Emphasizing that there was a big difference between being a “full fledged member” of the Apex bodies and being “invited” for consultations and dialogues on peace, Rosemary said that though the State and non-state agencies had used women as ‘mediators’ or ‘peace makers’, so far they had not tried to directly involve women in the negotiations for peace. The reason for this, she said was the strong patriarchal mindset which still engulfs all decision-making bodies in the state saying that “we were living in a gender insensitive society” which was evident in the minimal presence of women in village councils, Putu Menden, State Legislative Assembly, municipal councils or town committees etc. The ability for women to be more vocal, braver and more persuasive than men and the inherent deep respect that many Naga men had for their women as mothers, sisters and wives are an added support for women as mediators and peacemakers and this needed to be recognized and accordingly efforts be made to include women in all peace initiatives.
“Gender equity should be seen as ‘partnership’ and not as a threat by our Naga men” stated Rosemary adding that empowerment of women not only economically, but also politically in decision making bodies is the best way to ensure lasting peace. Women, she continued, must therefore be empowered politically and the space given for them to a part of decision-making at all levels in the state and society. Holding the slow economic empowerment of women in the state due to a static and rigid culture, she added that institutions of local governance like the Gaonburas and the Doobashis need to be seriously reviewed saying, “A democracy cannot exist without the inclusion of the other half of the population”
Winding up her address, Rosemary said that Naga women must also take a journey into their own weakness and rededicate themselves towards peace building and peace keeping and that the recognition of 1000 women nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize and since then the Peace Prize being won by Professor M. Yunus for initiating economic empowerment of thousands of rural women, proved that peace is possible and recognized through the empowerment of women in all countries.
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