Three women were awarded the Nagaland State Commission for Women Award 2024 during the International Women’s Day celebration at The Heritage today. The event was organised by Department of Social Welfare, Department of Women Resource Development, Nagaland State Commission for Women, Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission and State Hub for Empowerment of Women – Mission Shakti.
- Tsurila, Nengneithe Hengna and K Ela were conferred the NSCW Award for their wide spectrum of contributions in Naga society ranging from entrepreneurship to safeguarding the rights of vulnerable women and children, from uplifting street vendors to promoting Naga arts.
- Tsurila was born on 18 March, 1989, and she hails from Muleangkiur village, Shamator district. Tsurila is a home-based worker and leads YBAST, the local women’s organization in her town. Presently she is serving as the Field In-charge, Shamator and Tuensang Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), and also as Finance Secretary of the Yimkhiung Women Organization.
C. Tsurila started working as a Field Coordinator with North East Network (NEN) in the year 2019. She has actively served her community during the COVID-19 pandemic by producing face masks and distributing them, as well as leading the NEN’s distribution drives through which food and relief items were distributed to the needy in collaboration with the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shamator. She facilitated people with COVID symptoms by connecting them with the Medical Officer though telephone. Her initiatives for women from disadvantaged backgrounds and drop out students especially young girls in linking them with various departments for Skill Development trainings, such as, basket making (banana fibre), bamboo handicraft, beadwork, and weaving, are noteworthy as some of these girls/women are now supporting their families.
With the support of North East Network (NEN) and SEWA, Tsurila has been particularly instrumental in creating awareness about pertinent women’s issues and concerns in her community by annually organizing important events such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, World Environment Day, International Street Vendors’ Day, International Women’s Day, etc. Through these platforms and occasions, she has been able to address a wide range of issues covering health, digital literacy, livelihood intervention, leadership skills, etc. It may be mentioned that between 2019 and 2023, they have also trained 400 women and girls in the skill of footwear making, basket making, traditional earring and necklace.
Nengneithe Hengna was born on 9 July 1987. The founder of Runway HM Private Limited, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey driven by a lifelong passion for handmade art and a deep appreciation for her family’s heirloom and accessories. She established Runway Nagaland in 2011, initially as a platform for local artisans. However, her love for the artistry led her to create her own Made in Nagaland Jewellery brand.
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Hengna is a trailblazer in the contemporary tribal jewellery scene and designs Nagaland indigenous-inspired Jewellery integration into mainstream fashion. Additionally, she is a pivotal member of the Women Entrepreneurs Network of Nagaland (WENN) and a GB Birla Leadership fellow. In 2021, she along with her co-founder found, ‘Hengna and Maben Private Limited’ to expand opportunities for women and local artisans, which encompasses two impacted verticals: 1) Runway India and 2) Runway The Banana Community (TBCo). Through these endeavours, they have impacted over 700+ women artisans, empowering them with sustainable livelihood opportunities and fostering economic independence. They have conducted trainings in both rural and urban areas, reaching over 1000+ individuals, equipping them with valuable skills to thrive in their communities and contribute to the local economy.
The Organization’s awards and accolades include, among many –
- In 2018 the organisation received an award from weaver’s textile
“Centre Ministry of Textile, Govt. ofIndia”.
- In 2021, received an award from ‘FICCI FLO’ for Flo Women Achiever Award of Excellence 2021-2022 in appreciation for the contribution in the field of indigenous handloom & jewellery.
- Selected to be a part of “Impact Hub Berlin” amongst 10 women lead ventures in India.
- In 2022, received an award from Export Promotional Councilion Handicrafts (EPCH) for participating in the 16” Indian Fashion
- Selected to be a part of impact Hub Berlin’ amongst 10 women
Jewellery & Accessories Show (IFJAS). Lead ventures in India.
- Received the SDG Action Award 2022 from SDGC Nagaland in the “Social and Community upliftment” category.
K. Ela, Director, Prodigals’ Home, has been in the Social Work sector for almost two decades. She heads the organisation which engages with vulnerable women and children, education and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), rehabilitation of persons with substance/drug use disorder (men and women). Prodigals’ Home as an organisation has been giving priority focus on women’s issues, since the year 2000.
The organisation runs the State Shelter Home for Women in Difficult Circumstances till date. Despite numerous challenges (told and untold), issues confronting women has been addressed in collaboration with likeminded organisations and individuals. Ms. K.Ela has taken on the leadership courageously and compassionately in addressing even life threatening situations concerning women victims. And through the running of the exclusive women’s health clinic for women in high risk, women’s health seeking behaviour, their safety, security and wellbeing has improved remarkably.
The organisation also works with high risk migrant population.Under the leadership of K. Ela, the first ever program of community based rehabilitation (CBR) of PwDs was initiated in the state.
Emergency toll free Child Helpline (1098) in Nagaland was successfully launched first in Dimapur with Prodigals’ Home as the collaborative organisation. Hundreds of women and girl child victims have been rescued, rehabilitated, and restored under her dynamic leadership and committed Childline team.
With a heart to address the issues of child rights violation on illegal adoption of children, documentation of Naga customary practices of child adoption was initiated and compiled, which was supported by the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland.
Wide awareness, education, sensitisation and trainings on the above mentioned issues have been done amongst all sections of the society with K. Ela as resource person and trainer. She is trained on various issues the organization engages with at the state, regional, national and international level, and has impacted the lives of the community at all levels.
