CSOs moot women representation in TNL
Source: Hueiyen News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 13 2015: "Do Tangkhul women not merit a position in the district's apex customary body Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) when they are equally at the forefront of the peoples' movement?" This is the very proposition over which a critical debate has been running for quite a long time now.

In as much as the issue has been deliberated upon, there has, however, been no definite consensus on the same so far.

Many civil society organisations, NGOs and intellectuals of the district have held a series of consultative discussions on the same issue many times over in recent years.

As a follow-up to the previous deliberations, a brain-storming Two-Day Consultative Meet on the contentious issue under theme 'Tangkhul Women Empowerment' was held on 11 and 12 September at the Tangkhul Theological Association (TTA) conference hall, Hamleikhong, Ukhrul.

Leaders and representatives of various Tangkhul civil society organizations including Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Dioceses Social Service Society (DSSS) and others NGOs attended the programme.

Taking part in the discussion, TNL President V Weapon Zimik said that certain preparations are afoot to make TNL a more inclusivity-oriented body in the years ahead.

He informed that the Riyan (Constitution) Review Committee of the apex body is currently undertaking a review of the Constitution.

"When this process is over and done with, conditions for accommodating women representatives could be created," he exuded confidence.

TSL President Ringluiwon pointed out that although women folks are taking proactive parts in various conflict situations and remain at the forefront of the peoples' movement, they invariably find themselves in a bind since they are left out of the realm of decision making.

She then appealed to the apex body to bring women folks into its fold in the interest of collective growth.

Significantly, the participants at the end of the event endorsed the fact that nowhere in the existing TNL Constitution is it written that female representatives cannot be elected to any positions of the decision making body.

The consultation then unanimously resolved to pursue and garner support for representation of women in the apex customary body to promote women empowerment and gender equality.

It may be mentioned that the Ringui Village Authority had opened the door to gender equality by inducting women in its local authority governance for the first time in the whole district in January this year.

Earlier in 2013, Tangkhul Shanao Long had submitted a proposal to the apex body to bring their representatives into the highest customary body.

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