EMN
Dimapur, March 22
CHAIRPERSON of Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), Dr Temsula Ao, said variations or even contradictions in the traditional laws among the various Naga tribes is another vexing issue which poses serious problems when there is an inter-tribe marriage.
She was addressing a seminar on ‘Legal rights of women in marriage, divorce & inheritance & health education HIV/AIDS’ at Tseminyu Town Hall on March 20.
“It is an undisputable fact that we derive our being and identity in the continuity and strength of customary laws and traditional practices. This is what marks us as Nagas in the collective sense,” she stated.
However, she said it is also equally true that no society can remain static or un-touched by the changes that time brings and today Nagas are living under a new dispensation called the state of Nagaland where both men and women are supposed to be governed equally under the provisions of laws adopted by the state.“But in many instances we have seen that when it comes to the question of close personal relationship like marriage, divorce & inheritance, customary laws are invoked, which are more often than not, detrimental for the woman,” she said.
This, she termed as ‘serious issue’ that needs to be addressed through consultations and therefore she appealed to all concerned, especially the male-dominated Hohos to incorporate the necessary amendments so that the anomalies regarding women’s rights in the old laws may be removed and due rights given to women in these matters.
She also stated that the purpose of the Commission is not to confront or quarrel about the timeless customary laws of the Naga tribes, which has become our unique identity, but its humble effort is focused on the protection and safeguarding the interest of the Naga women. She has appealed the present enlightened generation to have free and open discussion regarding the issue of customary law and practices and its negative effects and influences on marriage, divorce and inheritance of the women.
ADC Tseminyu, Vikhwenu Meratsu, who also spoke on the occasion, asserted that many women were silenced by ignorance by taking into consideration of their own human value and rights in the society. She has urged them to be aware and create awareness to know the existing legal, ethical, social and political rights of women.
Yhunilo, president Kochung DBs’ Union; Sawithang president Rengma Hoho; Kelesha, president Rengma Mothers’ Association and other leaders and elders of the Rengma community spoke on the traditional customary practices and the present context of practices on marriage, divorce and inheritance in the Rengma community.
Kakheli Jakhalu, while presiding over the seminar, spoke on the importance of cooperation and participation of the people. She has appealed the elders, leaders, officers and the youth, who are the stakeholders of the future, to have concern for the social issues and pave the way for a better future.
Dr. Temsula Ao, Chairman of the Commission, also spoke on legal rights of women on health and HIV/AIDS in the second session which was led by Asangla Cholong, member NSCW. Women groups, church and village leaders, VDBs, Dobashi and students attended the seminar.
