#EmbraceEquity – Women’s views and perspectives

As the whole world celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Embrace Equity’, there is this feeling that a global conversation on ‘equal opportunities’ are not enough.

Today, Mokokchung Times decided to understand the idea of ‘Embrace Equity’ better through women from various fields and different sections of the society.

Sashichila, Principal of Edith Douglas Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung

According to Sashichila, every individual is wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God and therefore, nobody has the supreme power to condemn another just because of the differences in colour, race, status, gender or religion.

“Everybody has their unique roles to play and their unique interests and goals to achieve. When the society recognises and realises this, it fulfils the aim of ’embracing equity’,” she says.

She also added that respecting each individual irrespective of the differences will bring about “equity” in all spheres of life.

“Working together as a team is not easy – there will be varied opinions, different share of ideas and interests. However, when we learn to appreciate the differences and respect each other, I believe this world will be able to “embrace equity” at all times and in all situations – this starts from you and I,” she added.

Vitono Gugu Haralu, Social Worker, Activist, Radio Jockey at 90.8 Hills FM

Gugu, who has always been open about her struggle in breaking the patriarchal mindset and has boldly spoken against ‘Patriarchal toxic masculinity’, believes that women don’t need to seek validation from anyone.

She believes that women are already empowered but her empowerment will only happen once she knows that she is already empowered as a human being.
Sharing her views on the theme, Embrace Equity, she says, “Believe in yourself and build yourself up, know your calling”.

“Be you and celebrate your flaws,” she advises and added that one needs to try to strengthen one’s weaknesses to keep one rooted.
“There is none like & will be because you are wonderfully and fearfully made by God,” she added.

Moanaro Imchen, Christian Education Director of Kumlong Baptist Church, Mokokchung

Sharing her thoughts on ‘Embrace Equity’, Moanaro wondered whether reservations from the top level in political arena such as reservations for women in general election and not just in municipal election should be considered.

According to her, doing away with gender-defined roles such as, “This is man’s work and that is women’s work” should begin from home.

Taking concern over the issue of how some Naga parents favor only male child, she suggested, “Let’s educate the parents that it’s okay even if there are only daughters in the family” and wondered if ‘inheritance for women’ can be a matter of discussion.

She also suggested on a more inclusive church stating, “Since I work in a church, I am yet to come across any Executive Secretary or Women Pastor in most of the churches. So why do we not opt for such changes?”

“Starting from ABAM why not they pass a resolution that there should be an equal number of men and women deacon in every church? Give women a chance I’m sure we can do as much as man,” she said.

Shilula Imchen, Associate Pastor, Women, MTBA

“As I go through this year’s theme ‘Embrace Equity’ I am reminded of what went through my head when I read a conversation this morning in a WhatsApp group where someone had commented that it’s ‘high time Aos also mold and nurture women politicians and stopped opposing women reservation; to which another responded that regardless of gender, women will be elected only if they contest,” Shilula narrated.

According to her, if we are to embrace equity, first of all ‘we the women need to come forward to claim our place in society in terms of leadership or in various spheres of influence’.

“Many a times it’s us that shy away or shun from opportunities,” she said.

She believes that the society must understand that ‘from time immemorial, women have been deprived of opportunities and encouragement to pursue their space in domains mostly filled by men’.

“Thus, it’s no longer enough to say to is women, ‘come to the foray and stake your claim if you dare’ but as people that are willing to embrace equity, society must create opportunities where women can also be ‘propped-up’ to match up with the stature of men so that we women can put up a fair fight in any level,” she added.

Hekali Achumi, Miss Nagaland 2022

“Among all the other states and abroad, Nagaland should be gracefully honouring Women’s Day in 2023,” according to Hikali.

She believes that it “represents the beginning of the historic creation by the two outstanding women who made it to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly when no woman had ever been elected as an MLA to date.”

She said, “I celebrate this Women’s Day with all the Naga women as a new era for Naga women has dawned.”

In addition, Hikali said, “The 2023 International Women’s Day theme #EmbraceEquity has joyfully enlightened her.”

She highlights that in order to embrace equality, one should work to encourage others, and she later says that “equity recognises differences and provides opportunity to achieve an equal outcome.”

Hikali said that, in other cases, it can appear that women avoid pursuing equality because they lack equal chances, face obstacles and taboos, or live in a patriarchal environment. However, she makes a bold plea: “Let us raise awareness and embrace fairness by exposing bias, calling out injustice, and pursuing inclusion as a means of fostering an inclusive environment.”

Mokokchung Times