Shillong: Protesters gathered at Don Bosco Square in Laitumkhrah on Wednesday for the Dressed to Protest demonstration. They aimed to challenge victim-blaming and demand safety for women. One participant stated, "We are the women of Meghalaya who are also voicing out our concerns that are happening in the State itself. We have enough awareness; it is just that the society needs a mirror."
Demonstrators carried signs with slogans like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fundamental Rights" and "Matrilineal on the streets, patriarchy in the sheets." They argued that Meghalaya’s matrilineal identity often masks deep-rooted patriarchal control. Activist Nivedita noted that women face restricted mobility, particularly after dark. Organizers now plan a night march to reclaim public space.
The rally drew inspiration from nationwide outrage over recent sexual assaults, including the gang rape of a 17-year-old in Delhi on September 21 and the assault of an 11-year-old in Sadar Bazaar. Protestors also condemned the alleged groping of journalists by Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat during October 3 demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. While Delhi Police labeled the claims baseless, press organizations are demanding an official investigation.
Meghalaya faces its own crisis. Data indicates one in six married women in the state experiences domestic physical or sexual violence. Local cases cited include the August 28, 2026, conviction of a man for assaulting his stepdaughter and a July sexual harassment complaint against a senior advocate. In July, a Mizo man surrendered following accusations of assaulting college students and raping a minor in Shillong. Another public assault captured on video in June led to an arrest. Participants demanded an end to these cycles of abuse, insisting that the government prioritize women's safety.
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