Kohima: The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) in collaboration with the National Commission for Woman (New Delhi) has launched the first of its series of statewide campaigns for the year 2014 on legal rights of women at APO Hall. Kohima with a theme ‘Legal Rights of Women on Marriage Divorce and Inheritance.
NSCW chairperson, Temsula Ao on Saturday said Nagas are now living under a new dispensation where men and women are apparently viewed as equals under the provisions of laws adopted by the state.
Dr Temsula asserted that despite this, customary practices are still invoked when it comes to close personal relationships such as marriage, divorce and inheritance, often to the detriment of the woman’s cause.
She observed that information on women’s legal rights alone will not help the cause of women if the basic issue of customary laws and practices regarding these issues are not discussed in open deliberations.
“In order to arrive at a mutually acceptable decision, we need the active participation of our men folk who are the traditional leaders in their respective circles and villages,” she said.
Emphasising that it is not the commission’s motive to contest, confront or quarrel about the existing customary laws governing various Naga tribes, Dr Temsula stated that such deliberations carry the message for men to think of incorporating changes and fair adjustments in a modern set-up which will be beneficial to women, and where men and women can work together as equals in all respects.
She acknowledged that such changes will need in-depth and consistent consultations with all sections of the society, and further urged for initiation of dialogues among elders, intellectuals and women’s groups on the issues.
Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho President Kekhrielhoutuo Nakhro shared his views on the legal status of women on the three issues of the theme with regard to the Angami community.
He said as far as marriage is concerned, the Angamis like many other Naga tribes give much regard to women.
He highlighted some practical issues on divorce and inheritance that could require modern or legal approach to ensure protection of women’s rights.
Angami Students’ Union President, Zakieseto Khate, who also spoke on the occasion, said culture is also evolving with the changing times and along with it, a stand for equal rights and opportunities for both men and women is also evolving.
He opined that the matter should not be taken as a battle between Naga men and women as both are ‘equally struggling’ to adapt to the natural evolving process of society and culture.
The ASU president asserted that chauvinistic and dogmatic male attitude or customary zealots or even feminist extremism must never come in the way to create a balanced and just society. (UNI)
