Karaiba Chawang
Kohima | March 8
THOUGH THIS morning’s news on the dual mass rape incidents at Pfutsero (Nagaland) and Churachandpur (Manipur) provoked an aura of shock at the outset, commemoration of International Women’s Day at the Conference Hall of Hotel Japfu later today brought a glimmer of hope for this fair sex to grant them a better place in the society.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s condemnation of the incident on behalf of the state government, and subsequent assurance of fitting punitive action against the rapists dispelled part of the shock and restored the faith of the women participants on men.
Rape is a new thing in Naga society. Rape is never known before. This morning news of rapes, he said, has brought shame on men folk.
“Govt. will not spare (the offenders)”, Rio assured the gathering.
Rio, who graced the Day as chief guest, offered sops to the women folk stating that the movement for formation of Self Help Group (SHG) is on the pipeline throughout the state.
The movement, he said, is to create a chain of SHGs, and to federate them into a cluster level, district level and state level altitudes so that the SHG will go beyond income generation and self employment.
By the year’s end, at least 2000 such SHGs are expected to be trained, said Rio, while asserting that the department will ensure to continuously hold the hand of SHGs till they are stabilized and are self-supporting.
He maintained that Naga society is by and large free from crime against women. However, he said there are certain areas where affirmative action as well as intervention from the State Women Commission may be necessary to ensure fair and just application of the law.
The department of women development has drawn up a calendar of activities for the next 12 months which includes seminars, workshops, advocacy, training and capacity building besides others, Rio also said.
“I am confident that Naga women will overcome their traditional inhibitions in certain areas of development, and occupy their rightful place in the society”, he concluded.
However, contradictions on atrocities on women vary even amongst women. Hekani Jakhalu, Advocate and Director, Youth NET said that out of ten, at least six to seven families commit atrocities on women in Naga society. Jasmina, Voice of Entrepreneur said that Naga women enjoy a better place in society than their counterparts in other regions of the country.
Men and women struggled to define what exactly gender equality should mean on the auspicious day of Women, leaving one with a perplexing aftermath.
Although the big Day missed a big crowd, the blunt- shot- counters of Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism & Women Development, Kaito Ayeh, who chaired the Day’s programme invoked giggles and grimaces from women participants. The Day concluded with women offering an “unconditional salute” to men while seeking support to streamline strong and clear-cut mechanisms for gender equality.
Needs to create amicable situation to address gender issues, strengthening of the existing institutions and agencies through partnership participations without complicating the issue were significance points evolved at today’s celebration.
Daisy Mezhur, Secretary, State Social Welfare Board assured the men folk that women would, if men proffer an honest support to their cause, be an asset to the society rather than a liability. Weight begins to fall back on this fair sex and things would depend on how they uphold themselves in the process, she said.
Morung Express News
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