Freedom of choice of profession and decision is the most essential element of the right to life which shall not be deprived at all cost from anyone on grounds of gender. Allow me to quote Mrs. Kevinourheno Seyie, the Former President AWO, for today’s discussion, who said “A senior women leader told me that the present system of elections is an unnecessary evil. 33% reservation, I feel, is even more unnecessary. It is rather absurd to compel women to contest in elections against personal inclination and more seriously, against social good. Women deserve the right to contribute towards nation-building through home making or politics or administration or anything driven by their own convictions and not to be compulsorily pushed into elections through legislations.”
I feel women are capable enough or even better than men to make their own decision in all spheres of life: political, religious, social and economic etc. Why push? Normally women are less violent in nature, wanton or bold for corruption when in power and more honest, gentle, meek, affectionate and so keep away from risky positions of political chairs, a reason why life longevity of women surpasses that of men worldwide.
Women deserve the right to contribute towards nation- building through any profession of choice as per their capabilities and limitations, driven by their own convictions and under no circumstances, they may be compulsorily pushed for elections through legislations as Mrs Seyie said. Many a reason supports this, and it is not surprising that Naga Women of high caliber seem to shy away from a political career, there is sufficient evidence even in today’s state election, with exception of course of women like Smt. Rano Shaiza. Contesting on a United Democratic Front (UDF) ticket, her 2/3 majority victory over the then sitting Chief Minister Shri. Hokishe Sema in the 1977 Lok Sabha Election reminds me of what women can achieve with interest and commitment to the public, even as we try to analyze the reasons that dissuade women from politics.
That corruption and violence are the order of today’s elections is fact beyond refute. This is perhaps one condition that makes them shun politics, who do much better and fulfilling jobs serving society in administration, journalism, in government and private offices, in education, national and international corporations.
Enlightened women of quality increasingly on the ascent vis-à-vis men find it more fitting the mores of decency and dignity to make their presence felt in educational and administrative fields. The comparative success of women over men in examinations gives them further push in these areas. In various streams of education of post graduate studies under Nagaland University 80% to 90% of students are female. Often most of the toppersare female in various public examinations conducted by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) or Nagaland University (NU). Women have made their mark not just here but beyond the state.
It may not be wrong to assume that 33.3% reservation is carbon copy of mainstream India, a controversial item passed without proper examination and therefore, irrelevant in the Naga context. That it can prove hazardous to women. We have experience that the role of women in Municipal Councils and Town Councils in Nagaland is very important for all the aforesaid reasons, but the entry of distinguished and professional women should be through nominations which may be controlled by the authorized women bodies and not through compulsory elections. The present nominated women in the Municipal Councils are doing well, proving their worth beyond doubts.
However 33% reservation of compulsory elections can prove a disguised bomb when we consider that it could aggravate the degree of election crime, mutual blaming and corruptions amongst women. Reservation will force women to blindly contest in elections against their personal inclination and which shall be detrimental to social good and family institution. Therefore I feel it should be avoided.
The core issue here is that no “elective position” may be reserved for any person on grounds of gender, age or class. Otherwise, it goes against the basic principle of democracy. Setting reservation for women or any class or type of individuals, then, becomes a mockery of the world’s largest democracy.
Nagaland has a 1:1 man-women ratio which means there is a female equivalent to every male contender for elective seats: a strong – willed and issue-savvy Naga female has equal access to the legislature even without reservation. Issue-based politics determines a person’s rise in politics. Nothing will keep from winning a woman who is seriously concerned about political, social and economic issues confronting us today. What we need is women who are problem-conscious, patriotic, sacrificing and dedicated. Otherwise reservation may only serve as a shortcut to kill the Naga tree than nurturing it. For argument, I allude once again to Smt. Rano Shaiza’s dramatic victory. She won not because of money or popularity or for Hokishe’s weakness but because her party (UDF) promised political settlement between Delhi and Nagaland. People voted for settlement and non fide armis and not for Hokishe or for that matter, Rano.
Democracy means equality for all, equal distribution of wealth and resources. The same yardstick may be applied even to the elective posts. However there are certain political areas where the women participation is most needed, in such a case they may be nominated for the interest of fair-play and development, so as to upkeep the womanly values and preserve the unique society and priceless family institution.
Kuolachalie Seyie,
Advisor KMC
Submitted to State Consultative Meet at Kisama, Kohima on 8th October, 2010
