Temjen Ao
In front of Gods wisdom everyone is born equal no matter what we mortals may feel about the extra rib. But in our society since ancient times women have been relegated to second position in all the important walks of life. Our elders say that this is not discrimination but division of labour. And that this lad to the patriarchal society we live in today where due to their so called menial jobs women were considered unable to attend and participate in certain rituals and activities.
But that was then and this is now. Whatever practical or social causes in those days these norms no longer apply to the realities of this day and age. The reality of today is that in every field women are either catching up with their male counterparts or are moving ahead. In administration women hold the highest posts , in education women are outstripping the men, even in the number of voters Nagaland has the highest number of women in terms of percentages in India and the list goes on and on. In fact in all spheres of life women of Nagaland are either catching up or have left the men behind.
My first inkling of women’s empowerment in the Naga context was when I was in the national movement. We once went on a mission and the sergeant who was in command was a lady. Because of her experience and audacity our mission was a success. I cite this episode because I feel that our national movement led the way for women empowerment in our society.
But with all the strides in our society towards women’s empowerment I feel that there is still a lot to be achieved. Of the many things we need to address two important aspects concern me the most.
First there is a dismal lack of women in state politics. Why that is I am not too sure but I think it occurs due to the lack of women in the grassroots of political institutions. We must encourage the participation of women in all political institutions from the village to the state level. It could start with our schools by having girls elected as class presidents and so on. We must try to get rid of the notion that politics in Nagaland is a male bastion. After all women make up half the population of our land and their absence in this crucial part of social activity only deprives the society as a whole.
The second aspect that could change is in the laws concerning inheritance. For example if a father passes away only the male heir inherits everything. This I feel is unfair in a modern society. In order to correct this form of discrimination all private properties belonging to the father could be divided according to his wishes and his will. This doesn’t mean his clan or community property must be necessarily included because these come under different forms of ownership altogether.
In a land where my mother and sister were born, I will never agree for them to be treated as second class citizens. To me they hold equal value to my brothers, fathers and me.
KUKNALIM
