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Discourse deliberates on challenges and way forward
Morung Express News
Kohima | January 27
The need for ‘total commitment’ from policy makers, tribe and women leaders, government officials, academicians and researchers towards eliminating gender-based violence in Nagaland was highlighted during a webinar cum awareness programme organized by Women’s Studies Centre (WSC), Nagaland University, Kohima Campus.
Speaking on the topic ‘Challenges in Elimination of Gender Based Violence in Context of Nagaland: The Way Forward’, Prof Rosemary Dzüvichü, Department of English, Nagaland University noted that Nagaland is a strong patriarchal society, and deeply rooted in customs and traditions with a deeply socialized mindset of inequality. The customs and traditions of the Nagas also discriminate women and the girl child, she said, adding that preference for the boy child is still prevalent.
Denying the rights of women is a crucial issue because it does not allow, as per customary practices, for women to actively participate in decision making concerns, she opined.
Citing examples of village councils, tribal hohos, dobashis and gaon bura federation, the majority of which have no women representation, Dzüvichü observed that the Naga society is ‘not at all in a position’ to accept women into such decision making roles.
She also emphasized that women leadership in churches still needs a lot of encouragement.
She further noted that “Naga women have no ancestral property rights, land rights or maintenance rights, in cases of divorce.”
In the midst of armed conflict and militarization, Dzüvichü observed that, “We have seen a high rise of sexual crime, which has been rampant and punitive measures have not been successful even in courts as well as otherwise.”
“In most cases, the crimes during these militarized times in Nagaland, army atrocities, rape and murder of women have not seen the court,” she added.
Traditionally, she pointed out that most times, cases of rape and sexual violence are settled with the fine/penalty on the culprit in the form of a pig or marriage. She said there is a huge number of ‘compromised cases’ through families and customary laws in relation to violence against women.
Over 1.7L calls to Women Helpline Center, 1,091 cases registered
Dr Meneno Vamuzo, Research Officer, State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW), presented on the topic—‘Acts, Schemes and Programs on Gender Based Violence: Their Implementation in Nagaland’.
According to data presented at the webinar, a total of 1,77,963 calls were received at the Women Helpline Centre wherein 1091 cases were registered. The types of cases/calls received at the Women Helpline and One Stop Centres included cyber crime and obscene phone calls, domestic violence, harassment, rape/ rape & murder, psychological assistance, missing report etc.
During the lockdown period from March 23 to May 31, 2020, a total of 488 cases of violence against women and COVID-19 related cases were reportedly received.
There were also 457 cases of violence against women received at One Stop Centres (OSCs), out of which 61 cases were received during lockdown.
Dr Vamuzo informed that the SRCW has been actively working to facilitate the implementation of various women centric programmes and schemes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
She also highlighted various Acts like Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, The Indecent Representation of Women (Protection) Act, 1986, The Sexual Harassment of women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Amendment Act, 2019 etc.
Dr Vamuzo also shared inputs on the Nagaland Victim Compensation Scheme 2012, and further deliberated on Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), 181 Women Helpline Nagaland (WHL) and Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OSC).
The way forward
“To eliminate gender-based violence it requires total commitment of policy makers, tribe and women leaders, government officials, academic and researchers to bring changes within the state and ensure the security and protection of women and girls,” Dzüvichü noted.
Among the suggestions for the way forward, Prof Rosemary Dzüvichü urged for a ‘strong commitment from both men and women’. She said capacity building and advocacy of civil society, church-based organizations, women organizations, tribal hohos, all NGOs involved in protecting women and child rights is also crucial and that the state government must ensure there is adequate financial support for women.
She also stressed the importance of setting up fast track courts in all the districts and ensuring that there is adequate fund for speedy trials of cases of violence against women. She further emphasized on the education of the girl child in rural areas and adult education for women, adding that a large percentage of rural women still do not see the doors of higher education.
Underscoring the need to engage stakeholders, governments, and gender experts, she also articulated that research findings and data must be shared with government officials, community leaders, women organizations and general public for better sensitization and also called the need to address gender-based violence in state plan of action with adequate resources.
Other ways forward also included having a women cell in every police station; involving and sensitizing tribal hohos, youth organizations in villages and towns as agents of change; ensure better access to healthcare and services in villages and far-flung areas; train women organizations and community leaders to respond to victims immediately and create crisis centres; encourage community to report crimes against women and girls and confidentiality of the reporter; set up a committee of sexual harassment in all colleges in Nagaland.
She also emphasized that access to justice must be made readily available and, in the meantime, called for better coordination between women organizations, NGOs, police, court system, crisis centers and government officials.
The Nagaland state women commission act needs to be amended to ensure more powers of intervention rather than being just a research and sensitization body, Dzüvichü added.
She also highlighted the need for a change in public attitude towards transgenders in order for them to be counted as part of the society. In many cases, she also pointed out that women themselves have been party to violence against their own and they must be aware that there are laws for taking the law into their own hands.
Dzüvichü further laid emphasis on the need to have counseling centers with clinical psychologists in all the districts.
Observing that women’s right to peace and security in a state like Nagaland has always been sidelined, she commented that the efforts of the Naga Mothers’ Association and other women organizations towards peacemaking and peacekeeping is a strong indication why peace and security, free from militarization and armed conflict is a necessity for women and children to live without trauma or fear.
Earlier, Prof Pardeshi Lal, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University delivered the inaugural speech while Prof AK Mishra delivered a speech on ‘Women and Human Rights’.
Prof Buno Zetsuvi, Dean, School of Humanities & Education, Nagaland University gave the welcome speech and Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, Project Officer, WSC proposed the vote of thanks.
