Mizoram records sharp increase in crimes against women: Minister Lalrinpuii
Aizawl: Mizoram Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Minister Lalrinpuii on Thursday said that the state has witnessed an alarming increase in incidents of violence against women and called for a collaborative effort to tackle the issue.
Speaking at the launch of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Solve Project at her office in Aizawl, Lalrinpuii said the problem has raised serious concern, necessitating an urgent mechanism to address it.
Citing the sharp rise in such incidents, the Minister said the state’s Women Helpline recorded 3,094 cases of violence against women in the 2022–2023 fiscal year, which surged dramatically to 12,750 cases by February this year.
“Our state urgently needs a robust effort to tackle gender-based violence. Empowered women help families thrive, driving the overall progress of society,” Lalrinpuii said.
The Mission Foundation Movement (MFM) will implement the GBV Solve Project, a joint initiative of Aparajita and J-PAL South Asia, in Mizoram.
The project aims to introduce innovative programmes addressing gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and gender equality.
Lalrinpuii said the GBV Solve Project will not only focus on tackling violence against women but also educate school children, both boys and girls, about gender equality.
The initiative will also include a skill development programme for women in need to help them secure suitable employment, she added.
Representatives of Aparajita and J-PAL South Asia, who attended the launch, explained that J-PAL is a research organisation working on poverty alleviation.
They said Aparajita and J-PAL South Asia launched the GBV Solve Project after two years of dedicated research, making it one of their key focus areas to combat violence against women.
Officials said that the MFM is one of six organisations in the country chosen to implement the GBV Solve Project.
It will collaborate with Mizoram’s Women and Child Development Department to carry out the initiative in the state, particularly in Aizawl district, they added.