Training grassroots women on rights and leadership

NEN initiates process with ‘Women’s Rights and Governance’  

Kohima, September 17 (MExN): Women’s leadership has become a subject that is widely debated, more so with the recent approval of the 33% reservation of women in the Municipal Bodies. This is a major step taken towards bridging gender gap in political representation; Fostering women’s leadership and representation in decision making bodies at the village level is an equally important agenda.

  With this purview, North East Network (NEN), a women rights organisation in Nagaland has begun the process of training grassroots women leaders on women rights and leadership through an intensive training module designed to stretch over three phases. The training module is intended to build women’s perspective and conceptual clarity on issues of women rights, governance, Gender based Discrimination and Violence against Women (GBDVAW) and other human rights framework.  

In addition the women leaders will also be guided through a series of practical exercises on research and documentation, analytical skills and advocacy which are intended to build and strengthen their leadership roles within their own communities and organisations they are placed.  

North East Network (NEN) organised the first phase training of rural women leaders on ‘Women’s Rights and Governance’ from September 13 to 15 at East Gate Hotel, Kohima. The training was attended by 25 grassroots women leaders from nine villages of Phek District, Nagaland.  

The training topics included ‘Understanding Gender, Women’s Rights, Violence against Women (VAW), Governance and Institutions, Research and Documentation’ which was facilitated by NEN Programme Manager Wekoweu Tsuhah, and Programme Associates Hraveine David and Ms. Dolly Wotsa. These sessions looked at the basics of understanding gender based discrimination as a root cause,  having larger impact on women’s lives in the form of violating social, economic, political, cultural and civil rights of women. Participatory exercises were also conducted to understand governance structures and institutions.

Gracy Ayee, State Coordinator of State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) and Vekhwüsalü Dawhuo, Supervisor of Helpline-181 facilitated a session on ‘Rights and Entitlements- women related programme and Schemes’. They shared on the various programme and schemes related to women that were available within the state.