Aizawl: Mizoram health minister Lal Thanzara said the women of the state are the "backbone of society".

Addressing the 44th rising day of Mizo Hmeichhia Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizoram's lone women's voluntary organisation, at Electric veng here on Friday, Lal Thanzara said women are the harbinger of peace and harmony not only in a particular family but in society at large.

He urged all women to be good mothers, good daughters and good citizens. Women have progressed in the field of education and also in different professions, he added.

Lal Thanzara said the government has been making efforts to empower and uplift the status of women in every sphere of life. He said the government has implemented the Mizo Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance Act to protect the rights of women and uplift their socio-economic status.

The MHIP day was celebrated across the state. Special functions were held in the august presences of ministers, government officials and organisation leaders.

In some places, community services were held to clean streets and surroundings.

All government offices and educational institutions remained closed as the government declared it a public holiday to mark the celebrations.

Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu, the lone woman minister of Mizoram, also graced the celebrations at Biate, the state's cleanest town in Champhai district.

The minister said the government has given certain rights and privileges to women by according seat reservation in local bodies like village council, local council and municipality council.

She added that the government is planning to create a women and child development department.

MHIP president Saimawii urged all women to work for their own safety and development.

MHIP is one of the biggest philanthropic organisations in Mizoram.

Fighting against atrocities on women, extending help to destitute and providing family counselling are some of the activities of the organisation.