Shillong, Oct.27: The first Meghalaya human development report released by chief minister D.D. Lapang this evening pointed out that the prevalence of the matrilineal system does not guarantee gender equality and absence of gender-related bias.
The report said women in Meghalaya suffer from illiteracy, poverty, malnutrition, male drunkenness and family discord.
“Cases of domestic violence and sexual crimes are also not unheard of,” it said.
According to the report, there was a high incidence of violence against women in the form of rape, abduction and molestation despite society being matrilineal.
“The instances of family discord and broken homes seem to be on the increase,” the report said.
Alcoholism is still the bane of society, which causes domestic violence and broken homes, it said.
Stating that the families with single parents in the state are many, the report said it was always the mother who had to fend for the family when a home broke up.
The report also said violence against women and children should also be perceived in the context of drunkenness of the husband. When the husband is prone to drunkenness, it affects the wellbeing of the mother and children.
Despite being a matrilineal society, women also do not have much say in politics.
The report said when it came to public life, the mindset and long-held views and attitudes about women still posed a major obstacle for them to enter electoral politics.
“Authority in its real sense is the exclusive preserve of men. They are the sole inheritors of power. Politics and administration are considered the prerogative of men,” the report added.