Nagaland: ‘Women in politics should translate to role in decision-making’

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Sep. 29 (EMN): The involvement of Naga women in political activities should translate into position or role in decision-making, according to Phangnon Konyak, the president of Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha (BJMM), Nagaland state unit.

Speaking during a programme to mark the launch of the BJMM’s state-wide tour, in Kohima on Tuesday, Konyak reminded the members of their roles in politics, asserting that they need to be effective.

“Your involvement in political activities should translate into women who get into positions of political decision-making,” she said.

Konyak called upon the leaders of the women wing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to focus more on empowerment of women, to be more aware of the party working system, and their active political participation.

“BJP is a party which gives an enabling environment for women to go ahead,” she said.

Being ‘kaaryakartas’ (Hindi for workers) of the world’s largest political party, “we need to have our say and stand,” she said, adding that there are more roles and responsibilities lying ahead of them.

As ‘election time is approaching’, she asked the party’s women leaders to be well-versed in their party’s ideology and constitution “which gives guidelines to go ahead”.

According to her, when members stay focused on the working system of the party, they beget a “good candidate” to represent the party.

She encouraged the mahila workers to spread information about the programmes and benefits of schemes like ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana’ and ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ among the citizens.

Konyak reminded the members that it is important to spread message about central schemes as the BJP is ruling at the centre.

She shared that despite the numerous schemes related to scheduled tribes, which are implemented through the Centre, many people in the state are not aware of it. She therefore, reminded the mahila workers to update themselves with information about the schemes and share with the common people.

“We should be the bridge between the public and the schemes of the government,” Konyak said.

Referring to the ‘Goal 5 targets’, the gender equality vision initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Konyak stressed on the importance of women’s effective participation and equal opportunity in leadership at “all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life”.

Meanwhile, recalling the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, she stated that a total of 5,75,635 women voters from Nagaland had turned up to vote, which was the highest number of women voters in India that year.

Considering that statistic, she said, it is sad that there is not even a single women MLA or minister in the state.

   Regardless of the patriarchal nature of Naga society, Konyak urged the members to support and empower each other.

The narrative of politics is still being defined by patriarchy, she said. “It’s high time for women to define politics which is diplomatic, strategic and progressive,” she added.

According to her, there are around 3,65,000 registered BJP members currently. “If you are loyal to the party, the party will be loyal to you,” she maintained.