From resolve to action

Pathways to accountability for gender-based violence in NagalandMoa JamirThe adoption of an 11-point resolution against gender-based violence by the Central Naga Women’s Association (CNWA) and the Nagaland Alliance for Children and Women Rights (NACWR) on October 16 is a welcome and necessary intervention. Apart from declaring zero tolerance, a defining aspect of the resolution is its recognition that addressing the problem requires collective responsibility, institutional reform and sustained action.This is particularly pertinent given the recurring recognition that official data does not necessarily reflect ground realities in many aspects of life in Nagaland. Consider the annual National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India reports, in which Nagaland has consistently figured among the States with the lowest recorded crime rates, often reinforcing its portrayal as a ‘Shangri-La’ for women, a perception echoed by politicians, officials and popular discourse.Yet, as discussed in this column earlier, official figures do not necessarily tell the whole story. Localised surveys, anecdotal accounts and discussions at seminars and other related forums have offered a more troubling perspective. The issue, therefore, goes beyond optics. Official data must be examined in context, with due consideration for underreporting, social pressures and other factors. Low recorded crime rates should not, by themselves, be taken as conclusive evidence of a safer environment.Against this backdrop, acknowledging the limitations of official data and the realities that remain unreported is an essential first step, followed by meaningful institutional responses rather than remaining an expression of concern.Thus, the resolution’s call for churches, tribal bodies, village councils and the State Government to assume specific responsibilities is particularly germane to addressing the issue.In Nagaland, customary institutions and community relationships are integral to social governance, making their engagement indispensable. However, customary authority must complement, not compromise, individual rights and access to justice. Settlements or reconciliation pursued in the name of family honour, social harmony or religious considerations warrant scrutiny to ensure they do not silence survivors or circumvent legal accountability. The proposed emergency support fund, confidential referral mechanisms, rehabilitation centres and baseline survey merit serious consideration, offering survivors tangible support beyond expressions of solidarity.A review of the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act, 1978, could further contribute to clarifying institutional responsibilities and safeguards. However, this must be pursued with the understanding that, while customary practices remain integral to societal governance, they should complement and operate in harmony with the relevant statutory framework, ensuring that individual rights are upheld without bias, prejudice or discrimination.Adoption of resolutions, however well-intentioned, is only an initial step. Clear responsibilities, timelines and periodic assessments will be necessary to establish whether commitments translate into functioning mechanisms and better outcomes for survivors. The proposed baseline survey should also help build a more reliable understanding of the problem without compromising survivors' privacy.The CNWA and NACWR have provided a framework for collective engagement and it merits serious attention from the State Government, churches, tribal organisations and civil society.Going forward, meaningful participation by men will be crucial, particularly in challenging attitudes and behaviours that remain deeply entrenched in a patriarchal society.A society's commitment to women's safety, at the end of the day, must not be measured solely by official statistics, public declarations or professed moral values but be assessed by how these issues are deliberated, reported and addressed, and whether safe, accessible avenues exist for survivors to speak out without fear of stigma, reprisal or the weight of prevailing social expectations.For any feedback, drop a line to jamir.moa@gmail.com