Kohima, May 2 (MExN): On the occasion of International Labour Day on May 1, the Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch (MAKAAM) Nagaland chapter organized a State level consultation on ‘building convergence towards securing women farmers rights in Nagaland’ at Khonoma Rüfünuo Building, Kohima.
The consultation brought together 38 participants comprising of women farmers from five districts of Nagaland, organizations supporting and working with women farmers, representatives from Labour & Employment Department, SIRD, and NABARD to deliberate on issues and concerns of women farmers, their role in sustainable development and realization of their rights.
The Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch (MAKAAM) – Forum for Women Farmers’ Rights is a national alliance of campaigns, networks, organizations, individuals that advocates for the advancement of women farmers’ rights.
Role of women vital in sustaining food security
Vechulo-u Kanuo, Executive Director, CWWS in her welcome note highlighted that women play a very important role in the society in sustaining food security. Setting the context of the agenda, Khesheli Chishi, Advisor, IWFNEI emphasized that the consultation is to bring together diverse stakeholders, to build a common understanding on the issues of women farmers, and bridge the gap between the farmers, their organisations, and the Government agencies.
Concern over invisibility of women farmers in policy
Wekowe-u Tsuhah, Programme Manager NEN in her opening speech remarked that a ‘farmer’ is generally perceived as ‘male farmer’ and women are not recognized as farmers, despite the fact that women contribute significantly in agriculture and allied activities. And this non-recognition of women farmers’ contribution and invisibility of women farmers in policy affects women access to resources.
She highlighted that rural women suffer disproportionately in comparison to men because of their role in production, social cultural norms etc. It is therefore crucial for programmes, schemes, policies to address gender specific concerns. Referring to SDGs of ending poverty, achieving zero hunger and food security, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, decent work and economic growth, Tsuhah pointed that unless rural women’s contribution is recognized and their concerns are included in policies, achieving a sustainable world will be far from reality.
Issues, challenges and demands
The consultation explored issues, challenges and demands on four issues – access to financial services, access to market, access to information, tools and technology, and the promotion and support for ecological agriculture.
Oral testimonies on the four issues were presented by 6 women farmers and 4 representatives of organisations working with women farmers. Representatives from the Government agencies – Bendang Aier, NABARD, T. Chubayanger, Labour & Employment Department, and Suohienuo Keyho, SIRD responded to the testimony sharing.
