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.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
What are the main objectives of empowerment?
There are three dimensions of empowerment:- self- empowerment through individual action, mutual empowerment that is interpersonal and social empowerment in the outcomes of social action.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
What is the main role of woman in the society Why?
Women are the primary caretakers of children and elders in every country of the world. International studies demonstrate that when the economy and political organization of a society change, women take the lead in helping the family adjust to new realities and challenges.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
Why is women's empowerment important easy?
Women must be given equal opportunities in every field, irrespective of gender. Moreover, they must also be given equal pay. We can empower women by abolishing child marriage. Various programs must be held where they can be taught skills to fend for themselves in case they face financial crisis.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
Does India promote gender equality?
Although the Indian constitution has granted both men and women equal rights, gender disparities continue to live and rule. Indian society has always been the hub of this discrimination, making women its victim. In the land where women are Goddess's, the same Nation leaves a blot of atrocities and inequality.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
What are social issues in Arunachal Pradesh?
Social issues are topics or subjects that impact many people. They often reflect current events but also represent longstanding problems or disagreements that are difficult to solve. Beliefs, opinions and viewpoints can be strong and debate on these topics is a natural outcome of public discourse.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
What is the social structure of Arunachal Pradesh?
Arunachal Pradesh society is a patriarchal society. The society in Arunachal Pradesh is a primogeniture society where the laws of inheritance mostly support the male member of the family.
BrahmDevYadav 2 years 7 months ago
A woman plays multifaceted roles as daughters, sisters, wives and mothers who need protection and empowerment in this multi-lingual, multi-cultural society for this Himalayan state to make a difference in national spectrum.
SUTHAHAR P 2 years 7 months ago
It is due to the yeoman service of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women and its team that gave birth to this historical bill. The bill is progressive and gender neutral in essence. If the bill becomes law with necessary refinement, it will be a watershed moment for Arunachal Pradesh. This legal development will have far-reaching social ramifications. This bill is a reflection of what our society needs and aspires for.
SUTHAHAR P 2 years 7 months ago
However, the same conclusion cannot be reached in contexts of daughter’s property right as there is no express provision specifying it, which is only to be implied from Section 37, emphasizing equal division of property amongst children. Prescribing majority age as 21 for boys and 18 for women for purpose of marriage is a good move.
SUTHAHAR P 2 years 7 months ago
As stated earlier, the bill has dealt with polygamy and right of wife in the occurrence of polygamy very succinctly and criminalizing polygamy, a longstanding demand of the womenfolk in the state, is well-fulfilled. And the bill has good provisions to protect the right of the wife as a consequence of polygamy.