Baryl Vanneihsangi is one of the only 16 women contesting in the Mizoram assembly polls this year, out of a total of 174 candidates.  The 32-year-old TV presenter-turned-politician, contesting from Aizawl South-III on a ZPM ticket, is one of the youngest candidates in the polls. 

In a conversation with Newslaundry’s Tanishka Sodhi, Baryl discussed Mizoram’s dismal record of women in politics. At present, Mizoram is the only state in India to not have a single woman MLA in the assembly. Since the formation of the state, only four women have been elected as MLAs. 

She said there was a perception in Mizoram that women belonged to the four walls of a household. On being a young woman, who is unmarried, she said she often has to convince people to take her “seriously” as a politician. 

She also spoke about coming across comments on social media that said she belongs in the fashion and entertainment world, and how she fights against this perception. 

Join TNM and Newslaundry as we bring to you the most compelling reporting and analysis during the upcoming elections in Telangana, Mizoram, MP, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. Click here to support our election coverage.

This article was originally published in Newslaundry and can be read here.