Nagaland: Gender equality needed in entrepreneurship

Our Reporter

Dimapur, Oct. 22 (EMN): Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) will make a huge difference not just in the Northeast region but also in the country, said former Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland, Lithrongla G Sangtam.

Speaking during the launch of the book: We Mean Business “20 Women Entrepreneurs, 20 Stories” and WENN Bazaar at Sky Garden in Chümoukedima on Saturday, Sangtam said women are the backbone of the economy in Nagaland but they can’t progress without networking.

‘The hardships that women entrepreneurs go through is visible but we do not know or realise their needs, be it in the infrastructure need or the financial support,’ she said, while pointing out that “even the state government has failed them and there are blockages and shortcomings when it comes to support women entrepreneurship”.

“We have achievers but negligible achievers, so I hope we will come to a point of 20-30% achievers. Although the Government of India has introduced lots of schemes for women, because of the certain policy of the state with the banks, they do not come forward,” she said while pointing out that ‘our main issues are infrastructure facilities and finances although there is zeal and commitment’.

She stated that entrepreneurs have not been much focused and have not realised their strength as almost everyone was just following the crowd and trend. ‘We do not try to find where we can fit in,’ she said, adding that ‘the setback that we face is we don’t know the availability of raw materials and continuity is not there’.

“We Nagas focus only on being a retailer and don’t know the market of wholesale. Unless we know commercial, we can’t be called entrepreneurs,” she said.

The former bureaucrat lamented that the Naga society is free and open but there are blockages from the society and families when it comes to women entrepreneurship. She urged the entrepreneurs and women to build one’s own social structure.

“We need to do away with gender bias and bring in gender equality,” she said. 

It may be mentioned that the book WE Mean Business “20 Women Entrepreneurs, 20 Stories” is a graphic novel comprising 20 narratives of 20 women across regions, business sectors and age groups.

The book also features two Naga women entrepreneurs — Vekuvolu Dozo and Nengeithem Hengna.

Speaking at the event, Hengna said that she does not believe in self-made because there are many people who have contributed in her journey. She added that to see her work experience featured in a book was another level of gratitude which she never imagined.

WENN chairperson Alemjungla Jamir highlighted that WENN is a network and platform for sharing of entrepreneurial information and experience, upskilling through training, women empowerment and most importantly giving a voice to women entrepreneurs of Nagaland.

By doing so, we collectively build the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nagaland, she added.

“As a network, WENN’s goal is to create a more enabling environment for women entrepreneurs in Nagaland. Today’s event is a celebration of women entrepreneurs, their diverse realities, business journeys and ambitions. We plan to do many more such events in the region and grow our network far and wide. To make this possible, we require all of us today and all women entrepreneur in Nagaland because we believe ‘Great things happen WENN women come together,” she said.

She went on to say that the objectives of WENN are: To empower women entrepreneurs through the required training, skill development and enable access to information and required resources in order to provide opportunities; to collaborate with both Government and NGOs; and to be recognised as important machinery in the decision-making process for women entrepreneurs.