Revoke of Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, Naga women Objects

KOHIMA: After a state-level open debate on municipal elections by women leaders organized by the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) in collaboration with the Department of English, Nagaland University on Wednesday, women protested against the repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.

An update from the NMA said that a 3-point resolution was passed at the end of the day-long discussion during the debate.
“Naga women are in support of the Municipal Act 2001 and the First Amendment, which provides for 33% reservation in urban local bodies,” it resolved.

They also objected to the decision to repeal the Act, taking exception to the fact that the move was made without any civil dialogue or consultation with women.
The third point of the resolution said, “Naga women take cognizance of the fact that both the women MLAs remained silent during the debate on this issue in the assembly session and refrain from objecting or disputing the passage of this repeal bill.” “What?”

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Rosemary Dzovichu, former Director of the Center for Women’s Studies, detailed the struggle of Naga women over the implementation of the Nagaland Municipal Act, which mandated 33 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies. provides. .
Speaking on the topic of feminism in the Naga context, Assistant Professor Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu discussed the need to identify the struggles specific to the condition of indigenous Naga women. She countered the idea that feminine consciousness or practice is a modern invention or Western ideology citing various examples of feminist resistance and rebellion in Naga traditional culture.
Acknowledging that it is easier to change oneself than another, Keditsu discusses the disease of internalized patriarchy and urges all women out there to confront this close enemy. He emphasized the need for peaceful, non-violent strategies to challenge patriarchal inequalities.

Zheviholi Swu, former legal adviser to the NMA, unpacked the legalities of the Municipal Act, 2001, tracing the various legal actions and procedures taken so far by the applicant, the Government of Nagaland and the court.
Noting that the Act is constitutional legislation, Su explained that its implementation was inevitable and the latest bid by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to repeal the bill was being made while the matter was pending.
During the open discussion, party representatives from NDPP, BJP and NPF as well as representatives from Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Zeliangrong Mapui Organization and Pochury Mothers Association among other women leaders expressed their views. .

The day-long program was attended by women from various professions, tribal and other women’s organizations, NGOs, academicians, journalists, women leaders of political parties, and PhD research scholars from the university and abroad.