CM Rio: Women can’t be in decision-making Nagas should think

KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday stressed the need for the people of the state to change their mindset that Naga women cannot be in decision-making bodies.

He was addressing Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) election rallies in Khonoma and Kohima.
Rio said the party’s manifesto envisages gender equality and hence it has fielded two women candidates in West Angami and Dimapur-III constituencies, bringing women to the highest decision-making body in the state. Equal opportunities are provided.

He said that women are equal partners and they should get every opportunity.
A total of four women candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the February 27 elections. Apart from the two NDPP candidates, the Congress and the BJP have fielded women candidates for the Tenning and Atoizu seats respectively.

Nagaland has not had a woman MLA in the 60-member House since it was granted statehood in 1963.
Rio said that a final solution to the Naga peace talks is yet to be achieved due to differences between various groups.
He asserted that the NDPP-BJP alliance would retain power in the state.