The Silent Half: Analysing the Exclusion of Maram Women from Traditional Governance and Pathways to Inclusive Decision-Making

Bikila R. Sagongdui; T. Tarula Ngiimei; M. Pavan Kumar

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.DePaul-2026.1903

The Silent Half: Analysing the Exclusion of Maram Women from Traditional Governance and Pathways to Inclusive Decision-Making

Author(s)	Bikila R. Sagongdui, T. Tarula Ngiimei, M. Pavan Kumar
Country	India
Abstract	The Maram Naga tribe, indigenous to the Senapati district of Manipur, possesses a rich socio-cultural heritage heavily defined by agrarian traditions and deep-rooted customary laws. Despite women serving as the indispensable backbone of the community’s economic and domestic sustenance, they face systemic political disenfranchisement, most notably through their explicit exclusion from traditional village councils and the critical half-yearly and annual community discussions. This research paper explores the dichotomy between the high economic participation and low political agency of Maram women. Utilizing a qualitative, exploratory approach that synthesizes primary focus group discussions with secondary literature, such as The Place of Women in Naga Society. This study examines the traditional justifications for this exclusion, which are deeply rooted in patriarchal hegemony, patrilineal land ownership, and customary taboos. The findings reveal that the exclusion of women from formal decision-making severely impacts community welfare, manifesting in unaddressed socio-economic crises such as the rampant rise in alcoholism, gender-based violence, and stark disparities in health and educational investments. Furthermore, the psychological toll of this political exclusion stifles female agency and creates bottlenecks in sustainable community development. To rectify this imbalance, the paper proposes actionable pathways to inclusive governance. By leveraging the rising influence of women’s collectives like the Maram Women Union, celebrating female-centric cultural institutions such as the Mangkang festival, and capitalizing on the economic independence fostered by Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women are increasingly challenging the status quo. The study concludes by recommending a hybrid governance model that respects indigenous customary laws while integrating modern, democratic mandates for female representation, ensuring that the "silent half" becomes an active, institutionalized voice in the sustainable development of the tribe.
Published In	Conference / Special Issue (Volume 8 \| Issue 3) - Two-Day National Conference on “Women Led Development: Pathways to Inclusive, Sustainable, & Equitable Growth” (DePaul-2026) (May 2026)
Published On	2026-05-03
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.DePaul-2026.1903

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The Silent Half: Analysing the Exclusion of Maram Women from Traditional Governance and Pathways to Inclusive Decision-Making

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