“No information on legal rights alone would help women if the basic issue of customary practices was not discussed in open deliberations regarding marriage, divorce and inheritance.” (Photo Courtesy/Aden Jamir)
Kohima, February 8: “Today we are living under a new dispensation: The state of Nagaland where men and women are apparently viewed as equals under the provisions of laws adopted by the state. But when it comes to questions concerning close personal relationships like marriage, divorce and inheritance, customary practices are invoked very often to the detriment of the woman’s cause,” said Dr. Temsula Ao, Chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW).
“The realities of the times have changed and it is undeniable that culture also keeps evolving”
She was addressing the seminar on legal rights of women held on February 8 at Angami Public Organisation (APO) conference hall. Based on the legal rights of women on the theme “Marriage, Divorce & Inheritance” and “Health Education- HIV/AIDS”, the seminar was organized by NSCW in collaboration with National Commission for Women, New Delhi. Dr. Temsula further pointed out the issue of variations and contradictions in traditional laws among various Naga tribes, which compound the problem in cases of inter-tribe marriage. “No information on legal rights alone would help women if this basic issue of customary practices was not discussed in open deliberations regarding marriage, divorce and inheritance,” added Dr. Temsula.
Er Kekhrielhoutuo Nakhro, President, Angami Gazetted Officers Kohima (AGOK); Zakieseto Khate, President, Angami Students Union (ASU); Neithovilie, President, Angami GBs Union; Khunyü, DBs Union; and Keneigunyü Sekhose, President, APO, shared various issues on marriage, divorce and inheritance based on the Angami customary laws. In the second session, Dr. Joyce Angami spoke on women’s health and Lydia Yeptho, Consultant, NSCW spoke on legal rights of women on health and HIV/AIDS.
“The realities of the times have changed and it is undeniable that culture also keeps evolving,” said Zakie Khate who also asserted that discussing such matters prove the fact that the realities in our time is evolving for equal rights for both men and women. Khate further added that chauvinistic and dogmatic male attitude, customary zealots or even feminist extremism must never come in the way to create a balance and just society.
Kekhrielhoutuo Nakhro, President talked on marriage and divorce where it is opined that the bride’s opinion play a greater role in initiating marriage. However when it comes to divorce, women are only allotted one third of the joint property which does not include any ancestral property, and when adultery is committed by the women, she is often sent away naked, her head shaved. Nakhro pointed out that cases of extremism still occur today which he feels is a serious case of human rights abuse that need to be addressed. Dr. Temsula further hoped that the seminar would further initiate dialogues with elders, intellectuals and women’s groups to facilitate changes in the state.
