Women and Equality in Arunachal Pradesh

A Discussion on Arunachal Pradesh Marriage and Inheritance of Property Bill (APMIP Bill)

Littles boys and girls in the indigenous households of Arunachal Pradesh are brought up with utmost care to turn into responsible citizens of the nation. However, when it comes to ancestral properties, sons have been favoured as entitled heirs as per age old traditions, for the continuation of family lineage. Despite having autonomy in domestic affairs, women did not have the right to inherit their parents’ or spouses’ properties customarily. The exception being that, if parents pass on their movable property to their daughters, they gain total rights and in some instances (such as an only girl child to a parent), women get to inherit the properties in the form of land and other assets.

In light of this, the Arunachal Pradesh State Women Commission (APSWC) drafted the Arunachal Pradesh Marriage and Inheritance of Property Bill (APMIP Bill), 2021 in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh State for Protection of Child Rights (APSPRCR) and the Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society (APWWS).

The bill intends to address the wider general issues about socio-economic situations and women's rights. The bill calls for regulating divorce, alimony payments, and marriage registration. Additionally, it has advocated for the criminalization of polygamy and the protection of widows and legally wed wives' property rights. In addition, the bill's Section 43 promotes granting Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) women who marry non-APST males the right to possess real estate. The bill states that: “An APST woman married to a non-APST man shall enjoy the legal right over any immovable properties acquired or inherited from her family in her lifetime. In the event of her death, the spouse and her heirs would have full rights over it for disposal and alienation to any indigenous APST tribal”.

If one views the state's centuries-old distinctive culture through a prismatic lens, men in Arunachal Pradesh society exercise ultimate authority in domestic matters. However, if viewed from a pragmatic angle, Arunachalee women contribute significantly to the economic, political, and sociocultural activities of their significant community, making it a much-needed women-centric tribal society.

Mygov-Arunachal calls for a discussion on the Arunachal Pradesh Marriage and Inheritance of Property Bill (APMIP Bill), 2021 and invites you to share your valuable insight and opinion on the equality of women in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and what steps we can further carry out to make our society equal and liberal in all aspects.