Reforming Mizoram- Pi Sangkhumi

At 60, Pi Sangkhumi, an unsung hero of the country, is finally content. Having worked for four decades to bring legal reform in the lives of Mizo women, she saw her dream come true last year when the State Law Commission agreed to review The Mizo Marriage Bill, 2013, The Mizo Inheritance Bill, 2013, and The Mizo Divorce Bill, 2013.

Formerly the President of MHIP (Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl), she and her team have been fighting for over forty years to pressure the government into revising these reforms that have caused immense suffering to hundreds of women in Mizoram. Emphasizing on the need for these reforms, she told, The better India “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.”

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The violence and the political instability in the region have affected the women in the worst way. Numerous rape cases by the army jawaans have come up. The strife also manifested itself in a more personal space. MHIP, under Sangkhumi’s leadership has stood up against both external and regional oppressive forces. The organization has implemented initiatives to promote education, women entrepreneurship along with campaigning against domestic violence, rape and other forms of gender violence- which was difficult task to accomplish in a traditional society like hers. She believes, “Mizo women are definitely a part of the work force now, they are still not the decision-makers and that needs to change.”

Sangkhumi does not plan to stop here. Her group is now demanding a 33 per cent reservation in the political system. Through this, they wish to continue empowering more and more women with proper representation in the government.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: The better India

http://www.thebetterindia.com/11629/mizo-women-for-legal-reforms-empowerment-pi-sangkhumi/