Convention on Peace and Justice for Kashmiri Women Held At KU

KU Seat Of Women Empowerment: VC

Srinagar – The Centre for Policy Analysis in collaboration with Women’s Study Centre University of Kashmir today organized a “Convention on Peace and Justice for Kashmiri Women” at Gandhi Bhavan, where speakers from different walks of life highlighted the sufferings of women of Jammu and Kashmir due to the decades of conflict and strife.

In her welcome address Seema Mustafa, journalist and social activist said that the purpose of such events is to draw the attention of India to the plight of women in Kashmir.

“The plight of Kashmiri women is directly linked to the state of conflict with the women becoming the victims of security force and the draconian laws operational in the state”, she said.

She said that justice, compensation and rehabilitation for them had been completely ignored by the state adding to the suffering and mental trauma.

“The Center for Peace analysis is trying its best to mitigate the suffering of women folk and tries to empower them through setting up this type of platform for an open discussion,” she added.

During the day long workshop speakers said that rape continues to be a major instrument of oppression with the police refusing to register cases and bring the guilty to book. Justice is denied in a large number of cases with the victims suffering from deep trauma that often results in suicide.

Talking about the role played by draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), academician Hameeda Nayeem said that conflict has widowed hundreds of women who have been plunged into destitution.

 “Enforced disappearances have left many more women with an uncertain future. These women have no idea whether their husbands are alive or dead, and keep waiting for them to return”, she said.

She said Government of India instead of providing justice to people of Kashmir, gave army special powers in the shape of AFSPA.

Nayeema said AFSPA has empowered security forces to violate the rule of law, and as result, “Kashmir has become place to gravest of human rights violations”.

Security forces use AFSPA to oppress people, carry extra-judicial killings, gang rapes and several other abuses,” Nayeem said.

Vice Chancellor KU Prof Talat Ahmad expressed satisfaction the way female students excel boys in many fields of education and science.

Prof Talat while referring to ‘Mir Behri’ one of the adapted areas of Srinagar by University said “Keeping in view the plight of the people in this areas, unhygienic conditions, low standard of education due to less resources and most predominate widowhood status, University has adopted this area and is looking after it.”

Farooq Sheikh, a well know actor and film maker while addressing the participants of the convention said that direct participation in this cause is the “need of the hour” if we really want to have a concrete effect .

 “In order to make a civilized human society we must show personal concern and get fully involved to get the same feel as that of aggrieved,” he said.

Proffesor Sadiq Wahid, director Kashmir studies KU said that such discussions help know the problems and then only we can act and do something to solve them.

Later, a resolution was passed to intensify struggle until the governments agree to the demands for:

1. Demilitarisation;
2. Withdrawal of AFSPA, PSA and all other draconian laws;
3. Immediate trial and punishment of security personnel and all others accused of rape and molestation,
4. Release of political prisoners,
5. Rehabilitation of widows and half widows that must include employment schemes for them as well,
6. Compilation of data of missing persons, and time bound investigation into the cases,
7. Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry under an impartial judge and experts into the present condition of women in Jammu and Kashmir;
8. Rehabilitation of Kashmir Pandits.
9. Setting up hospitals for Women to treat both physical and mental ailments in Srinagar and other towns in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The meeting urges the central and state governments to accept and implement these demands without delay”.

Meanwhile, terming University of Kashmir as the seat of women empowerment where almost 50 percent of the students enrolled in various faculties and departments are women and are pursuing their education in various fields, Vice Chancellor, university of Kashmir,  Prof Talat Ahmad said that these women could propagate their knowhow further for the overall betterment of the society.

Speaking during an inaugural session of a one day workshop on “Convention on peace and Justice for Kashmiri Women” organized by Centre for peace analysis in collaboration with Women’s study centre University of Kashmir and other organization here on Tuesday Prof Talat while expressing satisfaction the way female students excel boys in many fields of education and science said “80 percent gold medals went to female students on the occasion of 18th annual convocation which indicates women have not been excluded from their basic right of education and University is doing its best to  hone their talent at national level”.

Maintaining that University has taken several bold initiatives through its distance mode of learning to reach destitute and needy, Prof Talat while referring to ‘Mir Behri’ one of the adapted areas of Srinagar by University said “Keeping in view the plight of the people in this areas, unhygienic conditions, low standard of education due to less resources and most predominate widowhood status, University has adopted this area and is looking after it.”

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