The Naga Mothers Association (NMA) on Wednesday resolved that Naga women supported the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and first amendment providing 33% reservation for women, adding that it took cognizance of the silence of the two history maker women MLAs in the Assembly.
Several resolutions were passed by the NMA during an open state-level discussion on municipal elections by women leaders in collaboration with the department of English, Nagaland University, on 29 March at Ladies Hall, Nagaland University, Kohima campus in Meriema.
Naga women object to the decision to repeal this act and take exception to the fact that this was done without any civil dialogue or consultation with women, a press release informed.
In her keynote address, Prof. Rosemary Dzüvichü, Department of English and Former Director, Women Studies Centre, gave an detailed account of the struggles of Naga women relating to the implementation of the Nagaland Municipal Act which provides for 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies.
The two other speakers were Zheviholi Swu, Legal Advisor and Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu. Speaking on the topic of Feminism in the Naga Context, Dr. Keditsu argued for the need to identify struggles peculiar to the condition of indigenous Naga women.
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She contested the idea that feminist consciousness or praxis is a modern invention or western ideology citing various instances of feminist resistance and subversion in Naga traditional culture.
Recognising that it is easier to change oneself than another, Dr. Keditsu discussed the malady of internalised patriarchy and urged all women present to confront this intimate enemy. She stressed the need for peaceful, non-violent strategies to challenge inequalities inherent in patriarchy.
Meanhwile, Swu spoke in her capacity as former legal advisor to the NMA and erstwhile Joint Action Committee. She unpacked the legalities of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 as well as tracing the various legal actions and recourses taken by petitioners, government of Nagaland and the Court till date.
Given that this Act is a constitutional legislation, Swu explained that its implementation was inevitable and that the latest bid by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to repeal this bill was being done when the matter was sub judice, it said.
Speeches were also given by NMA founder and current advisor, Sano Vamuzo; Prof. Lungsang, Director, Women Studies Centre, Nagaland University; Abeni TCK Lotha, Chairperson Indian Red Cross Society and Advisor NMA.
During the open discussion, party representatives from NDPP, BJP and NPF as well as representatives from Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Zeliangrong Mepui Organisation and Pochury Mothers Association also shared their views.
The day-long programme brought women from across various professions, tribal and other women organisations, NGOs, academics, journalists, political party women leaders, PhD research scholars from the university and abroad, university women students for the deliberations to end the womEn’s Month of March.
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