Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), under the aegis of National Commission for Women, New Delhi (NCW), organized a seminar on “Legal Rights of Women and Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance” at Town Hall here Tuesday.
The programme began with an exhortation and introductory remark by EAC Zunheboto and NSCW chairperson Dr.Temsula respectively followed by a note on “Legal Rights of Women” by advocate Lydia Legal Consultant, NSCW.
Zhekheto Awomi, convenor Sumi Gazetted Officers’ Union (SGOU); Ghovito Zhimo, president Sumi Kukami/GBs Hoho (SKH); Zhekiho Swu, Head DB of DBs Union (DBU); Holuvi Chophy, president All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) and Toniho Yeptho, president Sumi Hoho (SH) spoke briefly on “Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance” and deliberated on the existing laws of the nation/constitution such as “Hindu and Mohammaden/Islam” laws.
The current practices of Sumi customary laws in marriage, divorce and inheritance was also deliberated and debated where several individuals (mostly male) present at the gathering put up queries and opinions to the visiting NSCW team.
Sumi Hoho president Toniho Yeptho, in his brief note, highlighted the matrimonial and inheritance practiced by the Sumis since time immemorial.
However, he said rigid laws and practices concerning ‘dowry’, ‘inheritance’ and related traditional practices have become more flexible during the past couple of decades.
He also disclosed that a panel has been constituted to research and study the depth of the proud Sumi Customary laws and traditional practices. The panel is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice and former president SH Justice (retired) H K Sema as convenor and Sumi Hoho general secretary Vihuto Asumi as Secretary with other panel members.
H S Rotokha an octogenarian, former Sumi Hoho president and administrator Sutsah Academy (Sumi language), in his resourceful speech, gave detailed accounts of the traditional Sumi marriages.
“Interaction and Question” hour drew huge and positive participations from both the corners of the gathering (male and female folks). It was followed by the “Summing-Up” of the entire seminar by Asangla Chalong member, NSCW.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Kakheli Jakhalu, member NSCW, who also presented a keynote; the gathering was entertained with special song presented by the “Heavenly Highway” male voice group Zunheboto. The three-hour long seminar concluded with a mass prayer with Kitoli Naje, president STH who said benediction.
Hosts of delegates from Zunheboto district and across the state in hundreds thronged Town Hall, Zunheboto. Several areas and village representatives from both the social setup and religious institutions mostly women folk attended the seminar.
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