WORKSHOP ON GENDER ISSUE

WORKSHOP ON GENDER ISSUE

THEME: TOGETHER FOR INCLUSION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

DATE : 29 MAY, 2026                      TIME : 9:30 AM ONWARDS

VENUE : HOTEL GRAND MASPEL, SUPER MARKET NEAR URBAN HUT, WALFORD COLONY

Brief Report on the Workshop on Gender Issues

• Workshop Title: Workshop on Gender Issues
• Theme: Together for Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
• Organized by: Pro
• Supported by: Bread for the world
• No. of participant: 56
• Date: 29 May 2026
• Venue: Hotel Grand Maspel, Walford Colony, Dimapur
• Host: Ms. Neilou Koza, Project Officer, BftW

INTRODUCTION

Pro Rural successfully conducted a one-day Workshop on Gender Issues under the theme “Together for Inclusion and Equal Opportunities.” The workshop brought together participants from various Government Departments, NGO’S and other stakeholders to discuss gender equality, inclusion, women’s rights, and social responsibilities.

The program commenced with registration, followed by a welcome address and briefing on BftW by Mr. Paul Lokho, Director, Pro Rural. Director Paul emphasized the urgent need for gender sensitization within our communities, highlighting that meaningful change must begin at home and extend into our workplaces and social institutions. He stressed that gender awareness is not solely a women’s issue but a collective responsibility that concerns people of all genders.

He further underscored the importance of fostering a broader understanding of gender, promoting respect, equality, and inclusivity for everyone. According to him, creating awareness about gender-related issues and encouraging positive attitudes towards all individuals, regardless of gender, can significantly contribute to building peaceful, harmonious, and equitable communities. His message served as a reminder that gender sensitization is a crucial step toward strengthening social cohesion and ensuring dignity, respect, and opportunities for all.

• The first session on “Gender Sensitization: Building Respect and Equal Opportunity” was delivered by Akokla Longchar, Member of the Nagaland State Commission for Women. The session provided valuable insights into the importance of promoting gender equality, mutual respect, and inclusivity in all spheres of society.

During her presentation, Smt. Longchar highlighted the need to challenge stereotypes and social norms that often create barriers to equal participation and opportunities for individuals based on gender. She emphasized that gender sensitization is not limited to women’s issues alone but is a broader effort to foster understanding, respect, and dignity among all genders. She stressed that creating a gender-sensitive environment begins at home and must be reinforced in educational institutions, workplaces, and communities.

The resource person further discussed the importance of ensuring equal access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making processes. She encouraged participants to become advocates for positive change by promoting fairness, empathy, and respect in their daily interactions. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, she illustrated how gender biases can affect individuals and communities, and how awareness and education can help overcome these challenges.

The session also underscored the role of individuals, families, institutions, and community leaders in creating a culture of equality and inclusion. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own attitudes and practices and to contribute towards building a society where every individual is valued and respected regardless of gender.

The session was highly engaging and thought-provoking, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of gender-related issues and the importance of fostering equal opportunities, harmonious relationships, and a more inclusive society for all.

• The second session, titled “Traditional Concepts and Practices of Gender Equality among the Nagas,” was presented by Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing, Vice-Principal of NEISSR. The session provided a comprehensive exploration of the traditional social structures, cultural values, and indigenous practices that shaped gender relations within Naga society.

Rev. Fr. Khing emphasized that long before modern discussions on gender equality emerged, Naga communities and many indigenous societies across the Northeast had established systems that recognized the complementary roles and contributions of both men and women. He highlighted how traditional Naga society functioned on the principles of mutual respect, shared responsibilities, cooperation, and community welfare. Men and women played distinct yet interconnected roles that were essential for the survival, stability, and development of the family and village community.

Drawing from historical and cultural practices, he explained how women were actively involved in agriculture, household management, economic activities, and community life, while men took on responsibilities related to village administration, security, and resource management. These roles were not viewed as hierarchical but rather as complementary, with each contributing significantly to the well-being of society.

Father Khing particularly emphasized the traditional methods and values practiced by the people of Nagaland and the wider Northeast in earlier times. He noted that indigenous communities placed great importance on collective living, mutual support, respect for elders, and shared responsibilities within families and villages. According to him, these cultural foundations fostered harmony, cooperation, and a sense of equality that enabled communities to thrive despite limited resources and challenging circumstances.

He further reflected on how modernization and changing social dynamics have influenced traditional practices, stressing the importance of preserving positive cultural values while adapting to contemporary realities. He encouraged participants to revisit and learn from the wisdom embedded in traditional Naga customs, particularly those that promoted respect, dignity, cooperation, and balanced gender relations.

The session provided participants with a deeper appreciation of Naga cultural heritage and highlighted the continued relevance of indigenous values in promoting gender equality, social harmony, and inclusive community development in the present day.

Following the tea break, a session on “Domestic Violence Against Women and Children” was conducted by Ikali Wo Khami, District Mission Coordinator, DHEW–Mission Shakti. The session focused on raising awareness about the various forms of domestic violence, its impact on individuals and families, the legal protections available to survivors, and the support mechanisms established to provide assistance and justice.

Mrs. Khami highlighted that domestic violence remains one of the most pervasive yet underreported social issues affecting women and children. She explained that violence is not limited to physical abuse but also includes emotional, psychological, verbal, sexual, and economic abuse, all of which can have long-lasting consequences on the well-being and dignity of survivors.

A significant point emphasized during the session was that many cases of domestic violence continue to go unseen, unheard, and unreported. She noted that numerous survivors endure abuse in silence due to fear of social stigma, family pressure, financial dependence, threats from perpetrators, or concerns about disrupting family relationships. As a result, many incidents are often resolved privately within the household without seeking external support, leaving victims without proper protection or justice.

Mrs. Khami stressed that such silence often perpetuates cycles of abuse and prevents survivors from accessing the help and legal remedies available to them. She encouraged participants to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence, support those who may be experiencing abuse, and promote a culture where victims feel safe to speak out and seek assistance without fear of judgment or retaliation.

The session also provided information on legal safeguards, government initiatives, helplines, counseling services, and community-based support systems designed to protect women and children from violence. Participants were urged to become advocates for awareness and prevention within their communities, emphasizing that addressing domestic violence is a collective responsibility that requires compassion, vigilance, and community action.

The session was informative and impactful, fostering a deeper understanding of the realities of domestic violence and reinforcing the importance of creating safe, supportive, and violence-free environments for women and children.

The fourth session was delivered by Dr. Dominic K. Khanyo, Principal of Eastern College, Dimapur, on the topic “Multi-layer Women Convention.” The session provided participants with valuable insights into various women’s rights frameworks, conventions, and policies that have been developed at national and international levels to advance gender equality and promote gender justice.

Drawing from examples across different countries, Dr. Khanyo highlighted how gender-related challenges manifest in diverse ways across societies and cultures. He discussed the progress made in some regions through strong legal frameworks, education, and advocacy, while also pointing out the persistent barriers and inequalities that continue to affect women globally. These comparative perspectives helped participants understand that gender issues are not confined to a single community or nation but are part of a broader global discourse.

Speaking from his extensive experience in the field of education, Dr. Khanyo strongly emphasized that gender awareness is not only necessary for adults but is equally important for young minds. He stressed that values such as respect, equality, empathy, and inclusivity should be nurtured from an early age through education, family guidance, and community engagement. According to him, introducing gender-sensitive perspectives during the formative years can help shape responsible individuals who contribute positively to society and challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices.

He further underscored the significance of grassroots-level action in bringing about lasting social change. While policies and conventions provide important frameworks, Dr. Khanyo noted that meaningful transformation begins with individual actions and attitudes. Every person, family, educational institution, and community has a role to play in promoting gender equality and creating environments where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

The session encouraged participants to view gender justice not merely as a legal or institutional responsibility but as a collective social commitment. Through awareness, education, and conscious action at the grassroots level, individuals can become agents of change, contributing to more inclusive, equitable, and harmonious communities. The session was both informative and inspiring, reinforcing the importance of education and individual responsibility in advancing gender equality and social justice.

The workshop concluded with a Panel Discussion and Interactive Q&A Session, where participants from different NGO’s & Govt Departments actively engaged with the speakers, shared perspectives, and raised important questions related to gender issues. The discussions reflected the participants’ interest and commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

The program ended with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr. Pfokho John, Project Officer, BftW, expressing gratitude to the resource persons, participants, and organizers for their valuable contributions to the success of the workshop followed by a lunch break, providing participants with an opportunity to interact, exchange ideas, and reflect on the key learnings from the day’s discussions.

Outcome:

The workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of gender issues, rights, responsibilities, and the importance of collective efforts in promoting inclusion and equal opportunities. It served as a meaningful platform for learning, dialogue, and awareness-building within the community.