Women on Wheels Season 2 reaches Kohima

Women on Wheels (WOW Season 2), consisting of 24 members, arrived Kohima on Tuesday, where an interaction program was held at The Deck, Hotel Vivor, organised by Nagaland State Commission for Women.
Addressing the gathering, chairperson, National Commission for Women, Delhi, Rekha Sharma highlighted the impact of Women on Wheels (WOW) that has not only inspired women but also served as a source of inspiration for men.
Acknowledging the empowerment of women through WOW, Rekha emphasized the more women taking up new roles and reflecting on the historical division of responsibilities between men and women.
She highlighted the on-going transformation, where women embrace not only material possessions but enrich experiences and cultural understanding as they travel one place to another. She said recognition of Northeast as an integral part of the country, has been seen as a positive outcome of such initiatives.
Crediting WOW as the flag bearers of change, Rekha expressed gratitude to the women associated with organisation and emphasized the role of tourism in providing job opportunities for women. She encouraged women to explore various avenues such as starting Airbnb ventures and engage in traditional crafts.
Advisor of Social Welfare, Wangpang Konyak, who also attended the meeting, extended support and perspective on WOW members. He encouraged them to carry a message that despite Nagaland being traditionally patriarchal, significant progress had been made and highlighted the historic achievement of having two women legislators in Nagaland after six decades of statehood.
Wangpang pointed out that Nagaland women were not only breaking barriers on the road through initiatives like WOW but were also making strides in political representation and cited the recent passing of Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, which reserved one-third of seats in urban local bodies for women. He said the move of the state assembly reflected a commitment to promote gender inclusivity and empowering women in Nagaland’s governance structures.
Speaking on Weaving Women’s stories, Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu shared insights about Nagaland’s rich culture, highlighting a valuable lesson from her father about driving as a source of inspiration for women empowerment.
Discussing Nagaland’s diversity on the Naga tribes, each having its unique language and culture, Dr Keditsu showcased various traditional garments, including the Angami ‘Lohe,’ Sumi textile, and Lora Mhoshü while narrating stories associated with those textiles.
She emphasized their significance in maintaining cultural cohesion, pointing out that textiles play a crucial role in uniting people with a common origin.
Addressing the intersection of traditional and contemporary clothing, Dr keditsu presented the Mekhala woven by Chizami women, and emphasised on its importance and explained how Chizami women’s attire symbolizes the celebration of unity and the collective strength of women.
A representative from WOW also shared about the organisation driving expedition, organized by Amazing Namaste Foundation.
Amazing Namaste has been actively engaged in promoting Northeastern women across India through various activities, including events that invite people from different parts of the country to experience the region.
Anuradha, another member of WOW, shared information about two major events: Northeast on Wheels, a bike activity covering the entire Northeast, and an initiative where women from diverse backgrounds explore the region, sharing their experiences on social media to create a positive impact.
The WOW initiative, under the Amazing Namaste foundation, involves two teams—one headed to Arunachal Pradesh and the other to Nagaland. The teams, comprising 24 members in six cars, were flagged off on February 4 from Cotton University, Guwahati. They were set to conclude their journey on February 10.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by SMC, SHEW, Mission Shakti, Gracy Ayee while introduction was delivered by Nagaland State Commission for Women, Nginyeih Konyak,
A special song was presented by Hero, Vimeneno Chücha, while concluding remarks was delivered by secretary, Social Welfare, Martha R Ritse.
At the event, cultural activity was performed by Phetsukiku cultural club from Khonoma village.