Five Naga Women Contest Assembly Elections for the First Time

For the first time in the history of Nagaland, five women candidates stand for assembly polls that are going to happen on February 27. The state has not elected even a single woman to its assembly since it came into existence in 1963. Let alone that, the state has even denied 33% reservation to its women for urban civic bodies.

However, one of the candidates Awan Konyak believes that more than the men, it is the women who should be blamed as they haven’t come forward to attain political roles. Apart from her, BJP state vice-president Rakhila is contesting from Tuensang constituency, National People’s Party has fielded two women candidates—Dr K Mangyangpula and Wedie-U Kronu (27). Rekha Rose Dukru is contesting as an independent candidate.

While Rakhila is contesting for the second time on the party ticket, Dukru is one of the youngest candidates to contest an election.

“We five will hopefully be able to bring in change and create ground for the participation of more women in state politics”

The number of women has reached five for the first time as the last in 2013, it was only two women.

Konyak has joined politics as the successor of her father, four-time MLA and former education minister, Nyeiwang Konyak even when she has three brothers. Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party fielded her as their candidate.

“It was naturally assumed that Konyaks won’t nominate a woman. But I am here today because of peoples’ overwhelming support,” she said.

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Assistant professor of political science at the Nagaland University, Moamenla Amer believes that the society has conditioned Naga girls into believing that they cannot attain political leadership. “They don’t simply see themselves in that role,” she said.

“We five will hopefully be able to bring in change and create ground for the participation of more women in state politics,” said Konyak. “Society is changing and we can see acceptance for Naga women in political sphere,” said Apang Lotam, Rakhila’s daughter-in-law, who’s spearheading her campaign.

Picture credit- NorthEast India24