Guwahati: The Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizoram’s largest women’s organisation, on Monday observed its 52nd Foundation Day, marking the occasion by distributing food and essential supplies to families living in refugee camps across the state.
On the eve of the anniversary, the organisation’s General Headquarters distributed relief materials to families at Sihmui Camp 1 and 2, Sairang Camp and Chawnpui Camp.
Founded on July 6, 1974, when Mizoram was a Union Territory, MHIP was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in 1977. Headquartered at Treasury Square in Aizawl, the organisation operates through seven sub-headquarters, 16 blocks and around 700 branches across the state.
Over the past five decades, MHIP has campaigned against customary practices that it considers discriminatory towards women. In 2013, it backed the introduction of the Mizo Marriage Bill, Mizo Inheritance Bill and Mizo Divorce Bill in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly. These measures contributed to the enactment of the Mizo Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance of Property Act, 2014, which ended the customary practice of leaving divorced wives without property rights and enabled them to claim up to 50% of marital property.
The organisation also routinely organises public demonstrations in Aizawl, Lunglei, Kolasib, Champhai and Saiha, seeking stronger action in cases of rape and murder involving women and minor girls.
In a message marking the foundation day, the Governor of Mizoram congratulated MHIP and said the organisation had made significant contributions to women’s welfare, justice and empowerment through its social service initiatives.
Operating under the motto “Service to Others,” MHIP continues to work with the Mizoram government and organisations, including the Mizoram State Social Welfare Advisory Board, on programmes related to education, vocational training, family counselling and support for destitute women and children.