By leading some organizations, all women cannot be regarded as empowered. To make indigenous women economically capable, laws should be made. In the power structure, the quota system should be formulated for indigenous people. Raja Barrister Debashish Roy, the Chakma Circle Chief said in the national consultation meeting on 22nd of June 2018 as chief guest.
Barrister Debashish also said, participation of indigenous women in the customary legal process is necessary as it will ensure their empowerment. He urged to take initiative for establishing rights of women in land distribution and marketing.
Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS), Kapaeeng Foundation, Bangladesh Adibasi Nari Network, Women Headman-Karbari Network and CHT Women Activist Forum are jointly organized the consultation on “Participation of Indigenous Women in Customary Institutes of CHT: Current Status and Way Forward” at CIRDAP auditorium, Dhaka.
98 participants from different sectors like leaders of customary institutions, representatives of National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh (NHRCB) and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Headman-Karbaries, indigenous leaders and women activists were participated in this consultation. Ms. Rama Rani Roy, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) was participated as a guest of honor. Member of NHRCB Ms. Banchita Chakma, Professor of Anthropology Department of Jahangir Nagar University Dr. Ainoon Naher and Former Member of NHRCB Ms. Nirupa Dewan were present as honorable panel discussants. Besides, King Saching Pru Chowdhury, the Mong Circle Chief was also present as the special guest of the program. This consultation event was moderated by freedom fighter and women activist Ms. Rokeya Kabir, the Executive Director of BNPS and Advocate Sushmita Chakma presented the keynote paper.
Keynote speaker Advocate Susmita Chakma said, most of the positions in the customary institutions are occupied by men. Giving an example she said a total of 415 women are holding the position of Karbari out of 4,678 in Chakma, Bomang and Mong circles. There is a system involving Karbari (community leader), Headman and Circle Chief who are empowered to resolve social or family dispute as per the CHT Regulation 1900. There are some 11 ethnic groups of CHT with their intrinsic customs, traditions, rules, culture and language. She said that since 1900, the customary institutions of ethnic minorities in CHT, namely the offices of Circle Chief, Headman and Karbari, are empowered with arbitration authorities to settle social and family disputes among them through their customs and traditions. But the women in the posts of Circle Chief or King, Headman or the head of a mouza and Karbari or the head of a village were very little. Currently, there are 13 headwomen against 372 headmen while there are 415 women Karbaris against 4,263 male Karbaris in three circles, she said. For the Headman post, she said, the sons of Headman get priority to be a Headman but there were some headwomen too but the number was too little. The Karbari post had no family quota and the number of women in that post was also frustrating.
Ms. Banchita Chakma said, the women in CHT were the marginalized among the marginalized ethnic communities. She also said that the participation of women will be ensured if the customary laws are upgraded and capacity of the customary officials is strengthened. For this, Circle Chiefs and the CHT Ministry should have a proper plan under National Women’s Development Policy (NWDP) 2011 and CHT Peace Accord.
Ms. Nirupa Dewan emphasized the need for training women who are to be in the positions into the customary institutions so that they can better understand the customary laws and lead their communities with efficiency.
Prof Ainoon Nahar said quantity is not enough but the enhancement of women’s capabilities is necessary. Raja Saching Pru Chowdhury said that the women Headman-Karbari was employed a lot in the Mong Circle, but their capacity was not increasing due to lack of adequate training for them. In the process of justice, efforts are being made to ensure the participation of women in the Mong Circle. Marma marriage registration program has already started. However, he claimed that the state facilities are less in these cases of Mong Circle.
Ms. Rama Rani Roy said that all traditional laws must be updated. She also said, all men must be educated through real education and all obstacles of education in the CHT should be overcome by the government. She urged the heads of all three Circles to send the proposals with adequate information-data to the related Ministry for any kind of reformation.
Ms. Rokeya Kabir, the moderator of the consultation urged to work united to prevent obstacles in the establishment of women in traditional customary institutions of CHT. She said, the spirit of the liberation war will be proved not only by speaking but also through deeds. Women’s participation must be increased in the traditional institutions and in all power corridors.
