MHIP Day is celebrated on July 6 each year in Mizoram, India. M.H.I.P. stands for ‘Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl,’ which means ‘binding women together.’ The M.H.I.P. is the largest N.G.O. in Mizoram state and the only N.G.O. dedicated to women’s welfare. Through philanthropic social work and local advocacy, the M.H.I.P. uplifts the women of Mizoram and educates them on their rights. They also equip them with vocational skills and group courses to give Indian women a foundation of independence and a sense of feeling capable. MHIP Day applauds the organization’s efforts as a champion for women’s welfare.
HISTORY OF MHIP DAY IN MIZORAM
The first phase of the Indian women’s liberation movement took place between 1850 to 1915. British colonialism brought European ideas and the question of gender roles and individual rights. Men primarily drove early efforts to end the practice of widow-immolation, a tradition where widows had to burn themselves following the passing of their husbands. A rise in nationalist ideals hampered efforts to liberate Indian women from archaic social roles. Nationalists called for resistance to European morals and a return to old traditions.
After World War II, Indian feminists began to redefine women’s roles in society, especially in the workplace and national politics. Inequalities such as wage gaps, harassment, and relegation to unskilled positions. Women began to acknowledge the role of class differences in terms of caste, wealth, and education in holding back nationwide empowerment drives. The focus shifted to empowering women at the grassroots in the 1960s and 1970s.
The M.H.I.P. was set up on July 6, 1974. As the only organization serving women and the most prominent volunteer organization in the province, the M.H.I.P. was registered under Registration No. 5 of 1977 and headquartered in Aizawl. At the organization’s founding, Mizoram was a Union Territory. This is considered the third phase of the Indian feminist movement. Organizations like the M.H.I.P. continue to carry the torch of female empowerment, uplifting and enlightening the women of Mizoram province.
HOW TO OBSERVE MHIP DAY IN MIZORAM
- Advocate for gender equality
- Become an advocate for gender equality. This could be at your workplace, in your neighborhood, or even in your home.
- Donate to female-focused charities
- You can support women by donating to charities focusing on women’s welfare. These charities fight for equal rights, help women find employment, and protect them from gender violence.
- Celebrate an essential woman in your life
- Women break down barriers every day. That includes the women in our lives. Reach out to them, tell them how special they are and how much you look up to them.
5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN INDIA
- Free legal aid. The Legal Services Authorities Act grants victims of sexual assault the right to free legal aid or assistance from the Legal Services Authority, which must also provide the services of a lawyer for the victims.
- Equal pay. The Equal Remuneration Act prohibits discrimination based on sex regarding wages.
- Privacy is protected. Sexual assault victims can record their statements alone before a female police officer or a district magistrate when the case is under trial.
- Freedom from domestic violence. Under Section 498 of the Indian Constitution, women have protection from domestic violence in verbal, sexual, or economic abuse.
- Protection from workplace harassment. The Workplace Act gives Indian women the right to file complaints against harassment in the workplace.
