Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang wants safer spaces and louder voices for women in the political arena. He addressed a seminar in Dimapur on July 10, hosted by the NPF Central Women Wing. Zeliang argued that political institutions must actually reflect the makeup of society. Women make up half the population of India. Yet, they hold few seats in Parliament.
The numbers stay low. Only 13 percent of the Lok Sabha and 17 percent of the Rajya Sabha are women. Progress is slow. Nagaland went without a single woman in its Legislative Assembly until the 2023 elections. That year, Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu broke the barrier. They set a new standard for the next generation.
Zeliang pointed to the decades spent arguing over Urban Local Body reservations. It was a long, bitter fight. It involved Article 371A and clashing customs. The state wasted twenty years in gridlock. Eventually, the Supreme Court stepped in to force the issue. He noted, "When women feel safe, respected and supported, they lead with confidence and contribute meaningfully to society."
The state finally held local elections with reserved seats for women. Zeliang called this a massive milestone. He insists that culture and progress can exist side by side. Families and civil society must now step up. They need to kill the barriers to entry. Leadership demands integrity and hard work. It has nothing to do with gender.
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