Our Correspondent
Meriema, April 28
A two-day national consultation seminar on ‘Women’s Reproductive Rights, Human Rights & Using the Law’ got underway Tuesday at the National Institute of Electronic & Information Technology (NIELIT), Meriema, Kohima.
The programme is being organized by Women Studies Centre, Nagaland University, and Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) Nagaland in collaboration with Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA).
The consultation will be reviewing existing evidence and information, share insights and experiences of participants from across the state so as to generate recommendations to secure protection of women’s reproductive rights, human rights and how to fight for these rights under the appropriate law.
On Tuesday, the participants, comprised mostly of members of NMA, women organizations, health workers (ASHAs), NU post graduate students and district lawyers discussed and reviewed the various factors that infringe the rights of women which are otherwise guaranteed for in the Constitution.
Public health care delivery system for women/mothers in Nagaland was one of the major common concerns that was voiced by the participants.
It was discussed that although there is no dearth of good doctors and health care givers in the state, the public, particularly those from far flung rural areas and even in the sub-urban areas continue to suffer due to the insensibility and corruption of the system.
Drawing on the experiences, the participants deliberated on issues relating to the principles, approach and action required to bridge gaps in protection of various rights of women including the quality of health care.
Commenting on the district reports of Nagaland, NRHM Common Review Mission member from Rajasthan, Dr. Narendra Gupta said one of the reasons behind the poor health care delivery system is that while a country is supposed to dedicate 5% of its GDP on health care, India is spending less than 1.2%.
He went on to add that the moderate amount allocated is not being spent on capital items and more than one-third of it is lost to inefficiency and corruption.
‘We have to use the mechanisms that are available to make the system accountable, if we are to bring change’, he said.
The first day of the consultation was chaired by Women Studies Centre director & HRLN coordinator, Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü. Earlier, HRLN New Delhi advocate, Kerry McBroom gave a brief introduction of the consultation.
