NPF Manifesto for women just an eye wash: JACWR

Reacting to Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) manifesto which claimed that no governments in the past has taken up women issues like the NPF led DAN government did during its regime and other assortment of promises on gender equity and eradication of disparities between sexes, Joint Action Committee for Women Reservation (JACWR) has termed the manifesto “just an eye wash” to attract women voters during the assembly polls.

In an exclusive interview to Nagaland Post, JACWR co-convener and Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) advisor Rosemary Dzuvichu slammed the NPF led DAN government for refusing to implement women reservation and questioned the sincerity of the government which revoked its own decision on women’s quota instead of implementing the same.

Asserting that the Naga society was not comprised of “fools” and women were well aware of their rights, the JACWR co-convener accused the state government of committing a blunder and said the issue was already in the Supreme Court.

Rosemary was also optimistic that this assembly election would see the emergence of new faces and young leaders who would be more gender sensitive and clearly expressed her sentiment stating “we don’t want these 60 legislators.”

She accused the NPF of preventing its own political women wing from attending a JACWR meeting before the committee decided to approach the court.

JACWR also expressed its dismay that the Congress in the state had nothing new to say despite the Central government’s serious effort to implement women empowerment policies. Rosemary said there was a huge gap between the central government, the Congress leaders at the centre and the Congress leaders here in the state and this was clearly visible.

As for the BJP, she said it was the only political party in the state that has openly come out supporting women’s reservation and their rights, speaking against the withdrawal of the reservation in the assembly.

Rosemary also denounced the state government for touring the whole state, influencing tribal leaders in an effort not to implement women’s quota. She said “at the end of the career, they are promising us women empowerment, how are there going to do, they are helpless, we are watching them” the women leader added.

It may be mentioned that NFP manifesto had said that despite several success stories in women’s development, there were more initiatives that would be undertaken in the years ahead like the scope of women commission that needed to be expanded so that issues close to women and central to their well being could be addressed in prompt and effective manner.

It also mentioned that initiatives to increase the role of women in decision and policy making would be undertaken besides gender equity and eradication of disparities.

Also Nagaland BJP President Dr. M. Chuba Ao informed Nagaland Post that the three pre poll alliance – NPF, BJP and JD (U) would chalk out one common programme soon.

He said BJP’s top priority was 33% reservation, women empowerment in politics and equity in development. About the ongoing peace process, he said that issue was also included in the manifesto and said Nagas want peace therefore solution should take place as early as possible.