Mizoram to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 with Inclusive Statewide Programmes

February, 2026 : Under the leadership of Lalrinpuii, Minister, Social Welfare & Women and Child Development (WCD) Department, a preparatory meeting was held on 19 February 2026 to discuss the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, to be observed on 8 March 2026.

Representatives of various women’s organisations, church women’s wings, and officials of the Social Welfare & WCD Department attended the meeting. As 8 March 2026 falls on a Sunday, it was decided that the official state-level celebration of IWD 2026 will be held on 18 March 2026 at Dawrpui Multipurpose Hall.

The programme will see participation from women’s organisations across Mizoram, representatives of various church women’s groups, women from Pavalai and Men’s Fellowship groups, as well as college students. The objective is to ensure that women across the state are fully aware of International Women’s Day, its significance, and how they can actively participate in its observance.

It was emphasized that women from all sections of society should take initiative and play an active role in IWD 2026. Discussions were held on how to meaningfully implement the IWD 2026 theme, “Give to Gain”, and a tentative outline of the celebration programme was also reviewed.

Several supportive activities were proposed as part of the IWD observance, including:

1. Community cleanliness drives,
2. Discounts and special offers by women entrepreneurs,
3. Voluntary assistance to underprivileged individuals based on one’s skills and capacity, and
4. Publication of IWD-related messages and articles in YMA and church newsletters on 8 March.

The Minister urged all participants to extend support to women facing hardship and marginalisation in Mizoram and encouraged everyone to contribute, according to their capacity, to the success of IWD 2026.

On the same day, awareness programmes under the Women & Child Development Department were also conducted. These included a Sensitization Programme on Safety and Security of Women and Children and a meeting on the celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, organised by the WCD Department. Representatives of various women’s organisations from across Mizoram and members of the digital media community, including YouTubers, participated.

The first session was led by Pi Sailopari, Joint Director, WCD. Pi Flora Laltanpuii, Deputy Director (Women), explained various women-centric schemes under the WCD Department, including provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006. She provided detailed information on schemes such as Mission Shakti, Hub for Empowerment of Women, One Stop Centre, Women Helpline, PMMVY, Nari Adalat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), PALNA, Shakti Sadan, and Sakhi Niwas. She also explained the implementation of PCMA in Mizoram, the appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers at district and village levels, and the functioning of Child Marriage Prohibition Units at the state and district levels.

In another session, Pi Lalrammawii Kawilam, Assistant Director, WCD, spoke on human trafficking, highlighting emerging risks linked to increased mobility and development. She stressed the need for vigilance, community awareness, and collective responsibility to protect individuals, families, and communities from exploitation.

Participants actively engaged in the sessions, listening attentively and taking part in discussions through questions and interactions, making the programme informative and impactful.