CM Dr Neiphiu Rio with officials and ENWO President Yingphe Konyak at the Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation's 6th General Conference held at Konyak Heritage, Mon, on October 30.
Mon, October 30 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) on Friday appealed for “rightful participation” in the decision-making process of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), alleging its exclusion despite having “stood shoulder to shoulder” with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) during the statehood movement.
Delivering the welcome address at the organisation’s 6th General Conference at Konyak Heritage, Mon on the theme “Elevate, Enable, Evolve,” ENWO President Yingphe Konyak said the exclusion of the women’s body from the FNTA process at this “crucial juncture” was a “painful contradiction.” It appealed to Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio to facilitate dialogue with stakeholders to secure its rightful participation, stated an update received here.
Recalling ENWO’s founding on April 17, 2008, to unite eight tribal women’s organisations beyond tribal boundaries, she said women’s representation in decision-making institutions remained inadequate despite their “indispensable contributions” to society.
She thanked Dr Rio for ensuring 33% women’s reservation in the Frontier Nagaland Memorandum of Agreement, but asserted that women cannot be expected to share equally in a movement’s sacrifices and then be excluded from shaping its future.
“We do not seek to stand above anyone, but we will not accept being placed beneath anyone. We seek partnership, not patronage,” she declared, reaffirming that the future of Eastern Nagaland must be built through women’s meaningful participation. “May our unity remain unshaken, and may the future of Eastern Nagaland be built with women, not without women,” she added.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Rio acknowledged ENWO’s sustained contributions towards women’s upliftment and empowerment, describing it as “a significant voice for the marginalised” and an advocate for women’s rights and child welfare. He stressed the importance of the ENWO Resource Centre and greater emphasis on literacy, education, economic empowerment and women’s institutional representation.
Congratulating the ENPO, federating tribal organisations and legislators on the “historic FNTA achievement,” the CM said it would usher Eastern Nagaland into a new era of development, inclusivity and expanded opportunities.
Citing the state’s first-place ranking in SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in the NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2023–24, he noted women’s growing participation in education, entrepreneurship and governance, besides landmark political achievements. He said 102 of 198 women candidates in the last Urban Local Body elections were elected, including eight from unreserved wards.
He encouraged ENWO to continue its noble work with courage, unity and determination and said, May ENWO remain a strong voice for women’s rights and a champion of social justice.”
