Voluntary organisations are now taking advantages of women during their anti-drug campaign in the State, according to the Mizoram Women Commission (MWC).

''We came to know that some of the members in the voluntary organisations, who were out on night duties to guard against the social evils, are in the habit of taking advantages of the girls they apprehend'', MWC Secretary Vanlaldini revealed. ''Some cases were reported that the volunteers on duty, consisting only males would sexually harass these drug selling girls in return for their freedom,'' she added. Ms Vanlaldini, who is also a deputy director of the social welfare department, alleged that some people among these volunteers do not even hesitate to beat up the women, who are mostly drug abusers, peddlers of streetwalkers. Pointing out several sections in the CrPC and IPC, Ms Vanlaldini said only women could touch the other women, accused or suspected of doing anything illegal.

''The anti-drug campaign by these voluntary organisation is good for the society but what I suggest is that they should also include women members in their team,'' she observed. ''Women face several forms of gender discrimination ranging from poor access to resources to violence within and without their homes. There is increasing evidences to link these factors to the spread of these drug peddlers,'' she said and added lack of support system to address individual problem of women in need, in spite of the strong existing network of active community based organisations. ''We have to set up some alternative methods like giving self-employment training to these drug abusers, so that they can totally avoid these types of crime and can generate money for their families,'' she pointed out.   

Ms Vanlaldini also suggested that more and more women should be recruited into the state police force. ''Unlike those days, the young women of today are quite bold and interested in taking up their carrier to the police force,'' she observed. Providing referral information and support to those in needs and establishing long-term community based support mechanisms for families affected by drug abuse would be more useful, she pointed out.

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