Political existence in the shadows of men

Tara Manchin Hangzo *

Kamuching village celebrated its platinum jubilee in January 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

The other day I was pondering over the lack of involvement of tribal women in politics. It set me thinking why women of our hilly terrain are not visible and active in politics unlike the valley sisters, who have made a mark and are quite vocal about their interests and involvement in the political arena.

Is it because the tribal women of Manipur are still made to adhere to the tribal customary laws, where women's voices are silenced in the decision making process and are rendered voiceless. They simply exist as an extension of men in all the social, economic, and political spheres.

Or it is because the Tribal women lack the motivation (no inspiration, we don't have a Sonia Gandhi to emulate), lesser education, money, time, mobility, language skills and correct information and resources? Maybe, maybe not!

Anyway, the environments in the hill districts are still not conductive for the growth of women and progress especially in the political fields. First, there is lack of active women organization at the grassroots level which should promote self-esteem, self-confidence and self-help amongst women and their fellow sisters. Ask any tribal woman why women are not involved in the development of the State, districts and in the peace process or in any activities to improve their situation.

The common refrain is "We don't know anything, we are not so educated, we are poor people, and we have no idea". To the educated women the answer is "we are not given an opportunity" by our men folks.

Another reason could be poverty. Many tribal families are subsisting on a handful of rice, and it's a hand to mouth existence. The task to acquire food for the family falls in the hands of the women. From dawn to dusk they toil in the hot sun like a robot and they fail to exercise their mind. Sometime I wonder, is this the policy of the men and the government? Make the women so occupied with thoughts of daily survival that they have no time to think of the State matter? I often ponder over the impact of poverty especially on women.

Besides Tribal women are hampered by lack of opportunities, difficult terrain, armed conflicts, poor infrastructure and the worst is lack of faith in their abilities, capacities and suitable knowledge of the functioning of vibrant institution (political as well as societal and organizational ). They also lack government and community support. When given an option, the community will promote a man and not a woman as their representative. For they have more faith in a man's competence.

What I feel is that the tribal women have not been asserting their rights in the community as yet. History shows that tribal women were never invited to participate in village chief and his council of men's meetings. So, they were never part of a decision making process in the past or are they now involved. If they were ever invited, it was as a token of gesture and their opinion is not considered.

Tribal Women are not comfortable to voice their opinion in front of their men, which are always in majority at such meetings and the lack in numbers seem to deter them or it is just the ingrained behaviour since days of yore when women's opinion were thought not worthy enough to be considered as important.

Hence, they never thought to directly challenge traditional institution like the chief council and question the customary laws which pervade into their private lives and are no women friendly laws. Somehow, they seem reluctant to change the tradition and accept it as part of their societal norms.

This complacency of the women has led to their non involvement in the political sphere. Why? The social structure of the patriarchal tribal society is designed in such a way that women are accorded high social status as wives in principle but are not given any rights. NO rights mean NO voice! They are still dependent on their men folks to decide for them. They are not used to taking decisions on their own and they are made to believe that they are not good decision makers. But in reality is also the fault of the women. They lack of interest, commitment, time, finances and confidence to tackle political issues.

For them politics means chaos due to the conflicts involved, already they bore the brunt of insurgency in their districts. Is all a men's game, macho gun-toting males trying to show their supremacy and muscle power. Who can blame if tribal women wants to distance themselves far away from all the election drama.

There are a few brave tribal women who are slowly venturing out in the political field. I salute them and wish them luck, what I noticed is that all of them have supportive husbands and solid financial backing but from the past we see them fizzle out and have no sustainability. They are like one time sensation and don't last long, Why? because men are not ready to pass on the baton to women as yet because of the prevailing chauvinistic mind set.

Tribal women should become more aggressive. They need to demand for a spot in political arena. Their political rights have to be asserted in the decision making process. Be it at the village authorities or in the decision making bodies of the Church. They have been too long under the influence, control and leadership of the men; it's time for a change! And change should begin in their mind with a new perspective and conductive environment. Why should they continue existing under the shadows of men?