Project Reports

In Kashmir, women haven’t freedom and protection in society due to state terrorism by Indian occupied troops. Their husbands, brothers and sons are brutally murdered in front of their eyes. Similarly males of the family are forced to stand while their women are being raped. It is psychological trauma and to be a woman has become a crime in Kashmir. Kashmiri women are victim of Indian war crimes. Ratio of stress related diseases has increased from 10 percent to 60-70 percent from 1990 till date making 70 out of 100 women a psychological patient. Women carry burden of murdered men as they are unable to earn livelihood for themselves and for their children in presence of about 800 thousand troops. Orphans have no access to good education and health facilities. These sufferings are not accidental but are being used as a tool to achieve military objectives such as spreading political terror, suppressing the voice of freedom, breaking the resistance against status quo etc. Kashmiri women since last seven decades are fighting for just cause and have given all these sacrifices for getting their basic rights and peace in their homeland.

Kashmiri women stand resilient today in their victimhood. Tribute to women who are facing violence, crackdown, fake encounters, disappearances, brutal torture and shoot to kill incidents but still struggling to have their rights. Women are principal stakeholders in Kashmir issue and it is time that everyone has to recognize that. This is time when women around the world are putting their demands for full education, health care, security etc. Theme of international women day is ‘make it happen’ and indeed the brave women of Kashmir will not be intimidated by occupied troops.

For international community, the Kashmiri women are a forgotten chapter. If sexual assault against women is committed in other countries, the conscience of international community is jolted and it responds but when Kashmiri women are victimized, conscience of world is silent because it is driven by realpolitik. Bigger the country, more influential it is, more impunity it will have. Justice should not be selective and this message should go from the civil society to important capitals which influence the decisions across the globe. Violence against women is a crime against humanity and therefore all lawyers of human rights have to step up and see where Indian atrocities cross the lines. Kashmir issue should be resolved peacefully, legally and logically.

One big problem is access to information from the ground as Indian government doesn’t give access to free media for coverage of ground realities. Due to Indian hegemony, suffering women and children are missing from media. Lack of access of international institutions makes women soft target for sexual and physical abuse. Victims are living in constant fear and culprits are seldom brought to law. Highlight of My Lai massacre changed history of Vietnam and its credit goes to media. Story of tragedy of Bosnian women and their hanging bodies became milestone. Ruthless killings of a Palestinian boy hit the headlines of the world and created a popular support for the Palestinian people. Kashmiri stories need to find place in media which will create awareness in different parts of world. Media should give voice to voiceless and highlight women’s condition and their role in Kashmir struggle by publishing the stories of women. Social media should be used to create awareness regarding Kashmir issue by publishing stories of victimized women.

The Kashmir issue has been forgotten over the globe and it needs to be raised once again with reference of International Day of Women. People of Kashmir are not letting go down their struggle, so we should stand with them and talk for them. Pakistan has always made efforts to highlight Kashmir cause and has not turned back on its principled stand based on UN resolutions. It is ready to make every effort to resolve the issue. People of Pakistan have always stood along with Kashmiris and have been raising voice for them. Complexities of international politics are hurdle in achieving these goals. Education, economy, technology and wisdom are needed to resolve such issues and to secure rights of Kashmiri women.

This painful story needs to come to an end. There has to be sustainable peace in Kashmir which cannot be imposed by military means. A small army can defeat a big army but even a biggest army cannot defeat a nation. Indian forces will not be able to impose their will on the people of Kashmir. Exit of Indian forces from Kashmir is verdict of history and it will happen if the people continue their struggle as they are doing. In a small valley, presence of eight hundred thousand military and paramilitary troops with the black laws giving ‘license to kill’, has no justification. There is distinction between freedom fighters and terrorists and this distinction should be kept in mind while discussing about Kashmiris’ freedom struggle. An important ingredient in seeking sustainable peace is that the very people, who are affected, must be a part of the solution. In Kashmir, we don’t see women in conflict resolution and peace building process. Women as survivors, protectors, freedom fighters and peace builders, all should be documented in stakeholder analysis. There is need of inclusive security to bring women to peace talks, table, CBMs, negotiations. Women are able to link the informal space at grass root to the decision maker. In North Ireland, South Africa, Guatemala, by inclusion of women, the quality of agreement and the chance of implementation improved. Collective action by women should be undertaken as a catalyst for peace. Demilitarization and repeal of draconian laws are mandatory steps for peace process in Kashmir.

Interactive Session

During the interactive session speakers, panelists replied and discussed on different questions asked by the participants. The speakers discussed that:-

Pakistan’s foreign office has continuously raised Kashmir issue on international forums and hence it is facing many problems as well. It is the only country which stood with Kashmiris since its independence. Pakistan has always insisted on dialogue and it has taken its position based on UN resolutions and is ready to use all means of dialogue including track two diplomacy and through civil society but it requires efforts from civil society and all of us in order to secure women rights in Kashmir.

There are no short cuts and Kashmiris realize the fact and thus are continuing their efforts for freedom. Use of social media, discussion forums and research on different issues related to Kashmir can bring change on international level and help resolving Kashmir issue.

Women of Kashmir are the most traumatized one in the world. In Kashmir there may be some difference of objective among different parties regarding the set of solution but there is absolutely no justification for the violation of the rights of women and girls in Kashmir under any circumstances.

Recommendations

Salient recommendations extracted from speeches and discussions made in seminar are as follows:-