Chumben B Yanthan
TISS, Guwahati campus
Any Naga fellow who dissuades 33% reservation to the women in the political domain shall be sent back to the days of headhunting. Take pride in the past, don’t live in the past. The customs and traditions hindering developmental activities in the modern day society desirably demand revokement.
• Nagaland has always been a patriarchal society where men, self-assigned by customs and traditions, dominantly exercise decision making power and drafted policies governing society and life. By default, Naga men believe that political institutions are meant for men folk only. Thereby, denying women space in traditional as well as modern political spaces. Customs change and traditions evolve; in today’s Naga society where we define human rights differently from the period of ‘times immemorial’, women should be granted their right to be on-par even in politics. It is hilarious when a Naga man challenges the women to come forward as equal and fight for power, when political parties and general Naga mentality considers only male as rightful being to hold the power.
• Naga men claim adherence in gender equality and both genders are encouraged for equal educational opportunities. Education empowers both genders equally but only men folk are seen as fit to hold political power. Why don’t men omit Political Science for girl students? Why not provide 50% seats for women in political spaces to support equality based on population figures? Why can’t we see women in the highest leadership positions even in Students’ bodies except for being part of the decorations and Praise and Worship or other odd jobs?
• There is no reservation policy in the traditions and customs among the Nagas but the roles of a Naga Woman in the society has always been reserved. In the older days she was reserved to, “wake up early in the morning, fetch water and cook for the family, assist the husband/father in the field during day time, cook and feed the family in the evening, entertain guests sometimes with the home brew or engage in traditional weaving.” In the present days she is reserved to, “wake up and cook for the family, go to school/work/stay home, cook in the evening and watch TV; exceptional number participate in social and spiritual gatherings, entertain husband/family friends with tea.” Not much of a difference right? At least they are free to educate themselves, socially and spiritually to some length. Nevertheless, their roles and jobs after education is restricted as family obligations is enforced to come first.
• The feeling and experience of subordination destroy self-respect, self-esteem and self-confidence and sets limits on aspiration. Traditional and customary practices have accustomed the Naga women to the obviously submissive position as noble subordinates; today they deny empowerment believing that holding power would jeopardize their loyalty and duty. Over time women have excelled in certain fields and their competence has achieved great regard to the extent of making us realize the importance of women’s involvement and assistance in political domain.
• There is an echo of FEAR amongst Naga men that they themselves might end up in a position to seek reservation from women folk if the latter is enabled to gain political power. Are they being cowards to fear the future? Such competent women personalities would indeed create a future of justice and prosperity rather than cowardice and corruption that we see.
• The Naga women have proved, over the years, to be passionate and dedicated in their duties. The Naga mother raised her son in discipline and dignity but the grown son because of the special Naga male chauvinistic attitude inherited from the society has gone astray and is blinded by greed provided by the Indian State. Today the participation of women in the politics would equal to bringing the same mother to bring back the lost son in the right direction.
It is inappropriate for one to say gender equality is ensured in Nagaland because discriminations exist in subtlety and often are shielded by traditions and customs. Differences and discrimination that manifests daily regardless of the class we might belong appears in forms of disregard, insult, control, exploitation, oppression, violence- within the family, at the place of work and in the society. If we are to ensure equality in our society, both genders must have a role in every field of developmental and governmental activities without prevention. The level of bad governance and corruption under the male dominance has had its effect on the Naga welfare. It is high time we give women the chance to hold political power and fight corruption where the Naga men have failed and also ensure good governance. #Believeinwomenpower
