| Abstract: | In Mizoram, Mizo women vote, seek public office, and join political parties, although their participation is lower than that of men on average. In the last general election to the 40-seat state legislative assembly in 2023, three women were elected from 27 women candidates. In addition to this, the latest general election to the local councils and village councils in 2025 had 5 women candidates being elected from the general seats. Even though Mizo society is patriarchal in nature, women have historically maintained significant administrative roles while not actively participating. And their influences could not go unnoticed, as the first Chieftain of the Mizo, Zahmuaka, accepted the invitation for the Chieftainship under the influences of his wife, Lawileri. Mizo women were eventually allowed to hold the position of chieftaincy. Though they were mostly the widowed chieftains and regents for their sons, they have played crucial roles in the history of Mizoram. With the advancement of the Christian missionaries and the establishment of formal educational institutions, the position of women in Mizo society gradually improved. And the provisions in India’s 73rd and 106th Amendment Acts further pushed the status of Mizo women to a higher level. However, even with 4,41,559 female voters in Mizoram, there were still very few women participating in politics. This paper will examine Mizo women in their participation in the traditional male-dominated politics and governance, emphasising the history, transformation, issues, and findings. |
