Shillong/Dimapur,Feb 20: In two poll-bound states Meghalaya and Nagaland which prides itself of
being a modern society, representation of women is few and far in political
process, but this time around the fairer sex are hoping to change things and
break the status quo.
Take for instance the case of matrilineal Meghalaya, for the
first time in the history, as many as 32 women candidates are in the fray out
of total 370 candidates.
In a state where majority communities follow matrilineal system where lineage is taken from the mother, out of 370 candidates only 32 female candidates contesting the election works out to 10 percent of candidature.
“Change is coming but it is still less. We claim that we give equal opportunity to women in the society but we need to give more representation to women in political process,’’said H H Momern, Political Commentator from Meghalaya.
In the outgoing assembly only five women legislators were chosen. The state is yet to send a women parliamentarian to the Lok Sabha.
Among the Khasis the prominent tribe in Meghalaya, the youngest daughter ensures continuity of the clan. Known as katduh, she is not only supposed to be the custodian of the ancestral property, but is responsible for looking after her parents and other old and infirm members of the clan. Performing the last rites of the aged is also her duty.
A non-governmental organisation, Northeast Network, carried out a survey few years back on the issue, where fifty percent of the women surveyed said that they were not interested in electoral politics due to the corruption. Even now, the village councils or dorbars the decision making body in Khasi society do not have women in decision-making positions.
In neighbouring state Nagaland which has never seen a woman being elected into the state legislature assembly this year, five women candidates are in fray and are hoping to change things and break the tradition. The five will be taking part in the coming Nagaland State Assembly elections which goes to poll on February 27.
While Wedie-u Kronu and Mangyangpula are contesting the polls on National People’s Party (NPP) tickets from Dimapur-III and Noksen Assembly constituencies, Rakhila is a BJP nominee from Tuensang Sadar-II seat.
Awan Konyak of the newly-formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is fighting the election from Aboi seat and Rekha Rose Dukru is an Independent candidate from Chizami constituency. The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), however, has not fielded any women candidate this time.
“The number has increased from two to five this election. We should encourage more Naga women to take active part in politics and women should be given fair representation in decision making bodies,” Rosemay Dzuvich, adviser to Naga Mothers Association told UNI.
Notably, last year the political violence erupted prior to municipal elections, when women’s organisations, under the leadership of the Naga Mother’s Association (NMA), demanded the application of Indian law which states that 33 per cent of seats should be reserved for women within local political bodies.
Their demand was vehemently rejected, and male politicians invoked “tribal traditions” as their main argument. The conflict spurred deadly street protests in which mob attacked state properties, and shops were destroyed in the main cities.
“For all its effort to be seen as a modern society, Nagaland has never seen a woman being elected into the state legislative assembly. So this is a good beginning,” K Thire, President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee ((NPCC) told. UNI
In a state where majority communities follow matrilineal system where lineage is taken from the mother, out of 370 candidates only 32 female candidates contesting the election works out to 10 percent of candidature.
“Change is coming but it is still less. We claim that we give equal opportunity to women in the society but we need to give more representation to women in political process,’’said H H Momern, Political Commentator from Meghalaya.
In the outgoing assembly only five women legislators were chosen. The state is yet to send a women parliamentarian to the Lok Sabha.
Among the Khasis the prominent tribe in Meghalaya, the youngest daughter ensures continuity of the clan. Known as katduh, she is not only supposed to be the custodian of the ancestral property, but is responsible for looking after her parents and other old and infirm members of the clan. Performing the last rites of the aged is also her duty.
A non-governmental organisation, Northeast Network, carried out a survey few years back on the issue, where fifty percent of the women surveyed said that they were not interested in electoral politics due to the corruption. Even now, the village councils or dorbars the decision making body in Khasi society do not have women in decision-making positions.
In neighbouring state Nagaland which has never seen a woman being elected into the state legislature assembly this year, five women candidates are in fray and are hoping to change things and break the tradition. The five will be taking part in the coming Nagaland State Assembly elections which goes to poll on February 27.
While Wedie-u Kronu and Mangyangpula are contesting the polls on National People’s Party (NPP) tickets from Dimapur-III and Noksen Assembly constituencies, Rakhila is a BJP nominee from Tuensang Sadar-II seat.
Awan Konyak of the newly-formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is fighting the election from Aboi seat and Rekha Rose Dukru is an Independent candidate from Chizami constituency. The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), however, has not fielded any women candidate this time.
“The number has increased from two to five this election. We should encourage more Naga women to take active part in politics and women should be given fair representation in decision making bodies,” Rosemay Dzuvich, adviser to Naga Mothers Association told UNI.
Notably, last year the political violence erupted prior to municipal elections, when women’s organisations, under the leadership of the Naga Mother’s Association (NMA), demanded the application of Indian law which states that 33 per cent of seats should be reserved for women within local political bodies.
Their demand was vehemently rejected, and male politicians invoked “tribal traditions” as their main argument. The conflict spurred deadly street protests in which mob attacked state properties, and shops were destroyed in the main cities.
“For all its effort to be seen as a modern society, Nagaland has never seen a woman being elected into the state legislative assembly. So this is a good beginning,” K Thire, President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee ((NPCC) told. UNI
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