Unseen no more: How Nagaland is changing its stance on women in politics

Kohima: About six decades after Nagaland became the 16th state of India, the state has reason to celebrate as it marks a significant milestone in its political landscape. In recent years, Nagaland has seen historic developments with the election of its first female Rajya Sabha member in 2022 and the subsequent election of the state’s first female legislators in the Legislative Assembly in 2023. 

These developments mark a transformative shift in a state like Nagaland where women in politics were once a rare sight.

The new decade began on a challenging note, with the world grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which peaked in 2020. In December 2021, Nagaland faced a tragic incident when 13 civilians were killed by security forces in Oting Village, Mon district, over a case of mistaken identity. This incident left the state in shock and grief.

However, hope and progress began to emerge in early 2022. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Phangon Konyak, hailing from the same Oting Village, became the first female Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland, a notable achievement 45 years after the state elected its first female Lok Sabha parliamentarian.

In 2023, the political landscape of Nagaland was further reshaped as the state chief minister Neiphiu Rio-led Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) saw the election of Hekani Jakhalu Kense and Salhoutuonuo Kruse as the first female legislators in the history of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). Kruse’s historic journey did not end there as she secured a berth in the state cabinet, becoming the first female legislator to do so.

In the same year, the state assembly made a pivotal move by repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 and enacting the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023 which included a 33% reservation for women. This legislative change was prompted by a directive from the Supreme Court which urged the state to conduct the long-overdue municipal elections.

For the first time in 20 years, the state is set to hold the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) polls in 2024. These elections are historic not only for their return after a two-decade hiatus but also for the inclusion of a 33% quota for women, significantly paving the way for increased female representation in politics.

It is important to note that in 2017, the ULB election process was declared null and void after violent protests broke out, leading to the loss of lives and property. Several organisations had opposed the ULB elections because it infringed the special provisions granted to Nagaland under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

Fast forward to June 2024, the much-anticipated ULB election is just days away, scheduled for June 26. The contest is set to place between 523 candidates from 10 out of sixteen districts in Nagaland while 64 others have already been elected uncontested. 

Stepping stone for women in politics

Among the 64 already elected to the town councils is Ruvotuonuo Ruth Kiewhuo from Ward No-1 under the Chiephobozou Town Council in Kohima district. The unique story of the 33-year-old stands out as the native from Kohima Village became a resident of Chiephobozou town only in late 2021 when she married a church leader from the town. 

“To be in politics was never in my wildest dream. When the ULB election was announced, the ward leaders and elders approached and encouraged me to represent the ward,” she told EastMojo as she recalled her journey into politics. 

She recounted how she was skeptical, as her husband was a catechist in the church, fearing that her involvement in politics may be contrary.

“My husband and I consulted our parents, elders, priests, and nuns. They all encouraged me, saying that my husband’s profession should not be a barrier. While politics is often seen as a dirty game, we must recognise that good and evil coexist in this world. This doesn’t mean we should avoid politics, instead, we should strive to eliminate the bad and focus on the good. We elect our representatives as politicians, so we cannot escape politics just by not getting involved. With these encouragement, I am motivated to fear God, work diligently, and pursue the good in politics,” she said.

With the support of her family and community, the mother of a one-year-old boy emerged victorious as an NDPP candidate from her ward without facing any opponent. On June 19, she received her certificate from the election observer. 

“Without the reservation for women in my ward, I may not have come out to participate in the elections. But I believe that just as a man and woman are partners in the household, they can be partners in politics and beyond, working hand in hand,” Ruvotuonuo shared.

To her, the 33% women reservation serves as a stepping stone, encouraging more women to enter politics. The reserved seats provide a significant boost, motivating more women to step up and take on leadership roles as is evident in the upcoming ULB polls. 

“It is important to voice women’s perspectives in the decision-making process, as there are matters concerning women that men may not be aware of. A mother’s perspective and women’s input in policy making are crucial,” she added.

Pointing out how in the wards without reservations, women candidates have won uncontested, and some are actively in the fray, she emphasised that representatives should be chosen based on their capabilities, regardless of gender.

Now that she has made her political debut, she described it as an overwhelming journey full of support. “I consider it a plan of God. I’ve only been here for about three years since I married, but the community accepted me as their own and supported me throughout,” she said.

Having won the confidence of the people, she is now determined to ensure that her ward and town see developmental changes. Her focus areas include providing good internal roads, proper drainage systems, footpaths, and street lights through government-funded projects.

Women in numbers

An analysis of the data provided by the State Election Commission (SEC) reveals significant participation of female candidates in the upcoming ULB polls. Out of the total 587 candidates including 64 candidates elected uncontested, 222 are women. 

Interestingly, 42 out of the total women candidates are contesting from unreserved wards. 

The age range of the female candidates also highlights the diverse representation within the election as the youngest female candidate is a 22-year-old from Ward-1 in Bhandari town council, Wokha district. On the other end of the spectrum, the oldest female candidate is a 71-year-old from Ward-6 in Peren Town Council, Peren district.

As for the male candidates, the oldest is an 81-year-old from Ward-5 in the Chozuba town council, Phek district, while the youngest is a 25-year-old from Ward-5 in Tseminyu town council, Tseminyu district.

Male candidates show support for women’s quota

As the upcoming contest witnesses many young candidates, EastMojo interviewed two who shared their views on women’s reservation in the ULB polls.

Congress candidate Imsanger Jamir from Kohima district believes that women’s reservation is essential because women should be part of policy-making. However, he raised a concern that while women can contest against men in unreserved areas, male politicians are deprived of the opportunity in reserved areas. He noted his appreciation for the idea of a straight fight if it were possible.

NDPP candidate Vezito Tetseo from Phek district pointed out that the representation ratio of women in politics is still very low. To address this, he emphasised the need to encourage more women to participate in politics, stating that increased female participation is crucial for coping with the world politically.

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