[8] INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: A MICRO STUDY OF THE TRAJECTORY OF AO WOMEN POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IN MOKOKCHUNG TOWN, NAGALAND

How to Cite : Imtirenla Longkumer, M. Roja Lakshmi & Lanusama Longkumer (2026). Indigenous women and political participation: A micro study of the trajectory of Ao women political representation in Mokokchung Town, Nagaland. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(9), 76-93. https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i9.2026.76-93

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the political trajectory of the Ao Naga women. The journey of women into the political sphere has been challenging across the globe. In Naga society too, the inclusion of women in politics has been achieved after years of persistent struggle and being secured with their right to participate in politics. Despite traditional Naga society being often described as democratic and republican, it is more often than not governed by customary laws that strictly prohibited women from engaging in political activities by stating that it would infringe on Naga customary laws and tradition as protected under Article 371(A) of the constitution of India. The recent issue of reservation for women in urban local bodies was responsible for the disturbances in the state of Nagaland. After amendment to the constitution in 1992 the central government provides 33% reservation for women in municipalities. However, Nagaland Assembly has passed another Act called, Municipal and Town Council Act in 2001 which opposed reservations in urban local bodies for the Women. However, when it comes to women and politics, the Ao Naga women have limited rights as compared to men in decision making role in the society at large. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to understand the question of whether the Ao Naga community men in Mokokchung town are ready to be flexible in their customary law and allow women’s participation in all political and decision-making processes.