Kohima: The Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) wants a seat at the table. During its 6th General Conference at Konyak Heritage in Mon, the group pushed for rightful participation in the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) decision-making process. They stood with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation throughout the statehood movement. Now, they feel pushed aside.
ENWO President Yingphe Konyak called the current exclusion a painful contradiction. She told the crowd that the group has fought hard since its founding on April 17, 2008. The organization unites eight tribal women’s bodies across the region. Women cannot sacrifice for a movement only to be left out of its future. Konyak was firm. "We do not seek to stand above anyone, but we will not accept being placed beneath anyone. We seek partnership, not patronage," she said.
Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio addressed the conference. He acknowledged the ENWO as a voice for the marginalized and a defender of child welfare. Rio noted the government already secured 33 percent reservation for women in the Frontier Nagaland Memorandum of Agreement. He highlighted Nagaland’s top ranking in the 2023-24 NITI Aayog SDG India Index for gender equality. The CM pointed to recent Urban Local Body election results where 102 women candidates secured seats, including eight in unreserved wards. Despite these gains, the ENWO maintains that true institutional representation remains inadequate. The group is now calling on the Chief Minister to open direct talks with all stakeholders to secure their role in the FNTA.
Updated at 31st October 2026 at 1:48pm
The conference theme, Elevate, Enable, Evolve, centered on the organization's push for institutional power. Chief Minister Rio announced the state government approved a new ENWO Resource Centre in Longleng. He intends for the facility to serve as a hub for skill development, business training, and capacity building for women across the region.
During the session, the Chief Minister pointed to recent state academic benchmarks to bolster his case for women's rising influence. He highlighted that girls grabbed 57 of the 80 top merit positions in the 2026 High School Leaving Certificate exam, maintaining a 72.72 percent pass rate. He cited these figures alongside the success of leaders like S. Phangnon Konyak, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, and Hekani Jakhalu as proof that women are ready to take on larger roles in the state's future.
Mon Deputy Commissioner Wennyei Konyak also joined the discussion, crediting the eight tribal communities represented by the ENWO for their role in preserving local culture. The event featured exhibitions where members showcased indigenous products and entrepreneurial projects developed by the various tribes under the ENWO banner.
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