Kohima, Feb 13 : The decision of the state government not to implement the 108th Constitution Amendment Bill on Women Reservation Bill 2008 has generated a hue and cry among Naga women.
The state government, which organised a meeting of political parties and Naga organisations on January 29, decided not to implement the 33 per cent reservation for women in civic bodies and Assembly for the time being.
Several Naga women organisation led by the Nagaland State Women Commission have slammed the decision. The state women commission has convened a meeting of Naga women leaders from tribal women hohos and organisations tomorrow to discus the issue.
Rosemary Dzuvichu, a member of the National Commission for Women, New Delhi, said the state government must be held responsible and accountable for its failure to implement the reservation in all towns, where wards have already been identified as reserved for women based on the government’s notification.
Dzuvichu, who is also a member of the state women’s commission, said the bill was important for the future of women in Nagaland at the highest levels of decision making, namely the state Assembly and Lok Sabha.
The January 29 meeting was convened without the knowledge of Naga Mothers’ Association, state women commission and other Naga tribal women hohos.
She also expression displeasure on the exclusion of women in village decision-making bodies like the village councils and village judiciary in the state.
Dzhuvichu also demanded for appointment of women as village heads and dobashis (chiefs of Naga customary courts).
“It has become imperative for Naga women to be a part of the traditional village judiciary and customary law court considering the alarming rise in all forms of violence and crimes against women and children in the state over the years,” she said.
The Ao Naga tribal women organisation and Konyak women organisation have also castigated the January 29 decision. The Ao women organisation termed it as “arbitrary and pre-disposed decision taken against women.” The organisation will not accept anti-women decision and policy and vowed to continue to fight for their legitimate rights democratically till the constitutional provisions are met.
The two women organisations also said the capability of Naga women is second to none.
The president of Ao women organisation, Supongla Lemdor, said Naga men have underestimated the capability of Naga women, which she said would not be tolerated. In any case Naga women should take part in decision making, she added.
So far not a single woman has been elected to the state Assembly, though in 1977 Rano Shaiza was elected as Lok Sabha member.