Dimapur, September 20 (MExN): Naga women organizations are not at all pleased with the statement of the Naga Hoho calling “premature” the 33% reservation for women and yet again, ambiguously, suggesting to focus on “women empowerment” rather than the quota. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Women Reservation issued a response reminding that denying constitutional rights to women are a violation of Human Rights itself.
“To deny women their constitutional right to reservation in town and municipal councils as enshrined in the said Act is a violation of human rights in a democracy. Seeking space for women in urban decision making bodies is outside the purview of customary law,” the JAC on Women Reservation stated.
Further, the women organizations reminded, the question of Women Reservation in town councils and municipalities is no longer a ‘debatable issue’ for the fact that the Nagaland Municipal Amendment Act is Legislation, passed by none other than the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and has become a constitutional right of women in the state.
The JAC also stated that more than 60 decades of the “Naga struggle” have lapsed with the active participation of women, not only in the “service” of the “Naga nation” but also as effective peacemakers in the ongoing decades of peace process. “To define the reservation for women as ‘premature’ is undermining the capacity of women and the immense contributions of women both in the private and public sphere of Naga society,” the committee stated.
Further, the JAC said, the statement of the August assembly of the Naga Hoho against Women Reservation is a direct challenge to the Legislative authority of the state and government. “If they are aggrieved, then the Naga Hoho has the right to implead (sic) themselves as a party respondent in the case.
The matter on women reservation is sub-judice in the court of law. The Writ Petition to implement the women reservation filed on behalf of Naga women has been a unanimous decision taken by the Naga Mothers Association, Watsu Mongdang, Eastern Naga Women Organization and the Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur,” the statement said.
The JAC appreciated the Naga Hoho for supporting “women empowerment in letter and spirit.” Nonetheless, the committee expressed hope that “maturity, justice and sagacity will be exercised in encouraging Naga women to move forward as equal partners and giving due cognizance to the constitutional and fundamental rights of Naga women.”
“To deny women their constitutional right to reservation in town and municipal councils as enshrined in the said Act is a violation of human rights in a democracy. Seeking space for women in urban decision making bodies is outside the purview of customary law,” the JAC on Women Reservation stated.
Further, the women organizations reminded, the question of Women Reservation in town councils and municipalities is no longer a ‘debatable issue’ for the fact that the Nagaland Municipal Amendment Act is Legislation, passed by none other than the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and has become a constitutional right of women in the state.
The JAC also stated that more than 60 decades of the “Naga struggle” have lapsed with the active participation of women, not only in the “service” of the “Naga nation” but also as effective peacemakers in the ongoing decades of peace process. “To define the reservation for women as ‘premature’ is undermining the capacity of women and the immense contributions of women both in the private and public sphere of Naga society,” the committee stated.
Further, the JAC said, the statement of the August assembly of the Naga Hoho against Women Reservation is a direct challenge to the Legislative authority of the state and government. “If they are aggrieved, then the Naga Hoho has the right to implead (sic) themselves as a party respondent in the case.
The matter on women reservation is sub-judice in the court of law. The Writ Petition to implement the women reservation filed on behalf of Naga women has been a unanimous decision taken by the Naga Mothers Association, Watsu Mongdang, Eastern Naga Women Organization and the Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur,” the statement said.
The JAC appreciated the Naga Hoho for supporting “women empowerment in letter and spirit.” Nonetheless, the committee expressed hope that “maturity, justice and sagacity will be exercised in encouraging Naga women to move forward as equal partners and giving due cognizance to the constitutional and fundamental rights of Naga women.”
