Pi Sangkhumi observed several atrocities and injustices against women while growing up in her home state of Mizoram. It was mostly due to antiquated laws, backward norms, and low levels of literacy and knowledge among women. She made it her life’s work to put things right, and now, after 40 years of dedication, she has reason to rejoice!
The State Law Commission finally took on the task of reviewing The Mizo Marriage Bill, 2013, The Mizo Inheritance Bill, 2013, and The Mizo Divorce Bill, 2013, and will be introducing them in the State Assembly after public consultations across the northeastern state. This is a historic victory for the women’s movement in Mizoram. This is the consequence of a unique campaign conducted by the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), an apex body comprising of numerous local women’s groups, that has lasted over a decade.
After years of lobbying and repeated attempts to send memorandums and draught bills to the Assembly and other executive bodies, the MHIP was able to persuade the system to consider judicial and legislative changes in marriage, divorce, and inheritance and succession laws to protect the interests of ordinary women.
Pi Sangkhumi, the previous president of MHIP, is now a cheerful woman in her sixties. Her long-held ambition is to see marriage and inheritance changes implemented, as she has witnessed generations of Mizo women suffer as a result of the system’s legal biases. She explains why these improvements are necessary.
“A Mizo woman has never had any rights over property whether moveable, immoveable or even gifts, known as ‘bungrua’ in the local language, that are given to her at the time of marriage. Her husband can divorce her at any time and throw her out of the house without providing any financial support.”
Pi Sangkhumi is currently working on getting essential laws related to domestic violence, rape, and human rights translated into the Mizo language, after working hard on marriage, divorce, and inheritance legislation. She is doing so because she believes it is critical for “every hardworking Mizo woman to realise her rights.”
Want to share your story of change? Visit us on www.aidbees.org to know how you can share you stories of impact with us.
aidbees – the worlds first social kindness platform aims at connecting the people who want to help with those who need it. Come share your kindness on aidbees.
#socialkindness #womenrights #aidbees #socialkindnessplatform #empathy #kindnessmatters
