Women in Meghalaya marched in Shillong on 28 September 2024, demanding action over rising gender‑based violence.
National Crime Records Bureau data shows 658 cases of crimes against women registered in Meghalaya in 2024, up from 628 the previous year. The state’s crime rate against women stands at 38.9 per cent, while only 72.1 per cent of cases result in a charge sheet.
Slogans – "Matrilineal on the street, Patriarchy in the sheets," "It’s a dress, not our yes," and "1 in 6 married women faces domestic violence" – punctuated the march. A protester said, "Shillong is becoming unsafe for women; harassment is happening and it’s just unreported." Senior journalist Patricia Mukhim added, "We are protesting for women’s rights to dress as they wish, free from molestation because of attire."
The protest highlights a paradox: Meghalaya’s matrilineal heritage does not shield women from patriarchal abuse, missing persons, or under‑reported assaults. Activists insist that the cultural narrative must not mask the harsh realities women face daily.
In response, the state government announced it will convene a Women’s Safety Taskforce in early October, tasked with reviewing police protocols and proposing legislative measures to curb violence. The taskforce’s findings are slated for presentation at the next legislative assembly session.