Jarjum Ete, the Iron lady of Arunachal, envisions comprehensive development for the State

by Madhu Raghavendra

What better day to write about Jarjum Ete of Arunachal Pradesh than on 4^th April, 2019 when women across India will be marching to protest the environment of hate and violence, and claim their constitutional rights.

Jarjum Ete is a social activist turned politician who has tirelessly worked for the development of women in Arunachal Pradesh for over three decades. She has challenged patriarchy in the State by openly condemning child marriage, polygamy and women not having equal inheritance and other rights. She is a role model for many young adults in the State.

Currently she is running for Member of Parliament(MP) from Arunachal West  from Janata Dal (Secular) seat.

Women Empowerment Talks Should Reflect in Women Representation in Politics

She recently resigned from the position of General Secretary, All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) after she was not given parliamentary or Assembly poll tickets. She has been patiently asking for an opportunity to serve as an elected representative in the State since decades but was not given. In futility, she had to quit the party for the sake of the people who seek her leadership in the State. Although she maintains no hard feelings for the Congress, it is evident that the party could not translate their women representation and empowerment talks into actually providing a prospect to a woman leader like Jarjum.  

 Jarjum Ete is not one of those women who would look back and sulk over what happened, she is a fighter of rights, for people she belongs and loves.

She has worked towards reducing child marriage and domestic violence in the State. Her leadership skills have been established by the fact that she has been one of the first Chairpersons of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (2005-2008). She has worked ardently towards people’s rights in the past and held many other positions of repute like; Chairperson, Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan, Arunachal Pradesh, Chairperson, Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyaan (2007-2008), President, Galo Welfare Society (2010-2013), Vice Chairperson, Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum, (2010-2013), President, Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society( 2000-2003) and President, National Forum for Forest Workers and Forest People(2012-2013).

She has also been on many technical taskforce committees like Member of the Expert Committee, NE Women in NCW (2003-2008), Member of the Joint National Committee for Review of Implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006 ( 2010), Member, National Task Force on Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (1996-2006), and Member of, National Committee for Promotion of Social and Economic Welfare, Ministry of Finance, GoI.(early 2000).

Her achievement in social work and activism doesn’t end here. She is currently the President, Indian Council of Child Welfare, Arunachal Pradesh, and Member of ICCW-Sub Committee for Protection of Children, New Delhi. She is also active spokesperson of Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society, and Secretary of National Alliance of Women (NAWO), India. She has been advocating for the indigenous rights of people of Arunachal Pradesh and also championed the cause of environment preservation, and sustainable development. She is also currently the President of All India Union of Forest Working People, India and Chief Advisor of Galo Welfare Society.

History Will Be Created As She Will Go On to be the First Woman MP From Arunachal Pradesh, If Elected

She has always advocated participation of women and youth in politics. This is also an opportunity for the people of Arunachal to create history by electing the first woman MP from the State.

Jarjum Ete has voiced out that she will be committing herself to working with the youth of Arunachal Pradesh to secure the state's future by reviewing and amending the Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Act under Article 371H to usher in constitutional protections to the state and its indigenous tribal people.

At present Arunachal faces the problem of unemployment for the youth, she has promised that she will work towards providing better employment. She also advocates that the local governance systems in the state need to be strengthened. Standing up for her is to stand up for women in politics, standing up for her is to stand up for people of Arunachal Pradesh. 

‘The 2019 Elections for Arunachalis is not only about petty political calculations. It is about the future of our people and our forests.’, she wrote in one of her online posts.

                                        

Jarjum Ete feels that over the years, many thinkers and leaders have pointed out about the lacunae embedded in Arunachal’s Statehood Act.  After witnessing the serious concerns, apprehensions and assertions, experiences of sufferings and insecurities faced by the Arunachalis, particularly the youths, in regards to the CAB-2016 or PRC or Refugee Rehabilitation policy or the long drawn inter-state boundary issue or the indigenous peoples' land rights, traditional tribal identities and institutions, it is high time for a review of the Statehood Act under Article 371H.

She supports the need for sustainable development that will not only provide livelihood opportunities to Arunachal’s ever growing aspirational youth-force but also protect their various tribal identities, our lands, rivers and forests, and sustain the pristine environment that will be the amulet of life for the unborn generations.