• Temsulemla Longchar

A couple of years ago I was in the hospital waiting for a friend who went inside the labour room for delivery. After a while she gave birth to a beautiful and adorable baby girl. As I went inside to see the baby I was astonished when the mother of the new born baby uttered “my villagers and relatives will feel pity on me because I gave birth to another baby girl.” In fact, I was not expecting to hear such statement from a person who is educated, theologically trained and living in the twenty first century. Though this incident does not imply that the mother does not love the baby girl but her first expression echoes the mentality imprinted in the minds of many Nagas. I not only hear men demeaning women but even some women speaking in the same manner devaluing female gender. The other aspect which calls for our attention is that even in most of the churches, as L.Achilo Kikon Panmei observes “Men argue that women are not at all capable of carrying out responsibilities based on the traditional concept that they are only suitable to take care of home and not to be involved in public sphere.” She also argues that “women who are serving as pastors in a few churches perform ceremonies like any other male counterparts, but when it comes to taking decisions as a team with male pastors, they are sidelined.” As such, women usually find themselves discriminated in many ways. Even though there are several Naga women who are educated, respected and in leadership position, very few notable Naga women can express their views and rights. Such privileges are denied to many other girls and women.

An Appraisal on Girls and Women Concerning Gender Roles in Naga Society: A Pastoral Outlook

"An Appraisal on Girls and Women Concerning Gender Roles in Naga Society: A Pastoral Outlook", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 12, page no.d555-d571, December-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2112366.pdf

"An Appraisal on Girls and Women Concerning Gender Roles in Naga Society: A Pastoral Outlook", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 12, page no. ppd555-d571, December-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2112366.pdf