Aizawl: Mizoram is witnessing an alarming rise in cases of violence and abuse against women, despite the state’s reputation for gender equality in social structures, officials said on Monday.
According to the Women and Child Development Department, the number of complaints received through its helpline has seen a sharp increase this financial year.
Between April and July 2025, 7,481 cases were reported—an average of 1,870 cases per month—compared to a monthly average of 1,166 cases during 2024–25.
In the previous fiscal year, the total number of incidents stood at 13,994.
Data reveals that the majority of victims—about 71 percent—are women aged between 18 and 40 years.
Another 18 percent fall in the 40–60 age bracket, while 2.5 percent are over 60.
Troublingly, 4.5 percent of reported cases involve teenage girls, underscoring that abuse is also affecting younger populations.
Officials classify the abuses into two broad categories: domestic and non-domestic. Domestic abuse includes physical assault, verbal intimidation, financial exploitation, sexual violence, and cases where women are forcibly intoxicated with drugs or alcohol.
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Non-domestic abuse largely involves cyber harassment—such as online stalking, sexual abuse, and defamation campaigns on social media—that harm a woman’s reputation and lead to social ostracism.
Authorities say cybercrime-linked cases are also under investigation by the Aizawl Cybercrime Police Station, highlighting the growing threat of digital abuse.
The government, in coordination with NGOs and civil society groups, is stepping up measures to curb these violations and ensure justice for victims.
