Asking the ‘Woman Question’: Pathways for Political Leadership of Women Under Customary Legal Frameworks in Northeast India

The paper explores the evolving landscape of women’s political leadership under the framework of customary law and electoral politics in Northeast India with specific focus on the state of Mizoram. The study further investigates the prevalent gender stereotypes associated with Mizo women within the domains of politics and leadership roles which is underlined by the change and continuity of gendered spaces in politics. The family unit in Mizo society is characterised by its patrilocal system and reinforced by the patriarchal values of customary laws. Within this context and against a societal backdrop heavily influenced by customary laws, the study examines the power dynamics within familial settings and broader societal structures to map women’s political participation. The abolition of chieftainship in Mizoram and the reservation of seats for women in local governance have created pathways for transformative networks, including a rise in women’s participation in leadership roles. The paper explores the profound influence that religious institutions, particularly the Church, exert on Mizo women's political perspectives and perceptions of social respectability. I examine how these influences shape their political participation and political aspirations by employing the 'woman question' to discern masculinist norms within customary law and social structures. The ‘woman question’ as a method can be used to consistently pose questions and interrogate existing biases, including gender implications of traditional norms and practices. The intersection of gender, law, and politics within social systems and how these elements intertwine within the legal discourse hold significant political and social relevance, particularly in addressing gender disparities. The discourse presented in the paper is situated at the intersection of law, gender, tradition, and administrative autonomy. It involves ethnographic research, documentary analysis, and case studies to study the political participation of women within the confines of customary law.