*AR Bhat*
Women Empowerment is one of the essential ingredients in the path of development. Most of the regions in this world are deprived of a very significant source of human potential, the major reason is lack of gender equality and women empowerment. Women are becoming the victims due to social practices, domestic violence, militancy and armed conflict in the region. They are not only suffering from penetrating humiliation and harassment but also suffering from shocking experiences with continued depression that leave them mentally disturbed. The conflicting situation in Kashmir has compounded women’s hardship. No one knows how many women are bringing up their children alone and without support because they have been made widows due to terrorism.
Kashmir is the northern most part of India. Post partition, it became a disputed zone between India and Pakistan that has resulted in huge loss Government and public property and human life there by resulting in putting normal life out of gear. People of Kashmir are facing copious problems and deprived of their rights particularly the women who are the most vulnerable and badly hit section of the society in this region. The economic, social and political conditions of the state before Abrogation of Article 370 and 35 increases the gender discrimination. The state has witnessed low participation of women in the political and socioeconomic process. Discrimination against them embezzled their right of freedom of speech, freedom to get education and employment opportunities, affecting their development and well-being.
Common Violence against Women in Kashmir: Pre-Abrogation of Article 370 & Article 35 are domestic violence – controlling their behaviour through fear, traditional practices violating their human rights and violence by social and political parties prevailing at that time. Same of the common challenges to Empowerment of Women in Kashmir are that Violence against women is increasing by leaps and bounds in J&K. Also, Illiteracy or ignorance of people is also a constraint in the empowerment of women. Many girls in districts of J&K still get married at an early age, which affect their overall development to a greater extent.
Further, lack of decision-making authority also makes the prospects challenging. Lack of women’s participation in political affairs and poor and low status of women, coupled with lack of awareness and inadequate and unorganized health care delivery system makes the situation even worse.
The Abrogation of Article 370 has been the unshackling of the chains of bondage of women of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Women have been one of the main deprived and disadvantaged sections. There was not only the erosion of their existing rights; they were also constitutionally denied their rights.Article 370 and Article 35 prevented women of J&K who married non-residents from holding property in the state. In the era of heralding gender equality, the Government of India decided to come forward, the regressive article had to go with Indian state becoming the saviour of oppressed Kashmiri women. With the scrapping of the controversial Article 370 by Government of India on 05 Aug 2019, the women would no longer be deprived of their property rights in Kashmir, if they get married to a non-resident. In addition to this, Article 35A also empowered the J&K government to decide who could be a permanent resident. Article 35A and Article 370, were strictly against the ethos of our constitution and the principles of justice, fraternity, liberty, equality that it espouses.
Introduction of the Abrogation Bill conveyed a very strong message that, “Daughters of the state marrying outside the state lose their rights to property which is very discriminatory to the women and their children as well. Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on August 8 2019, said, “The daughters of Jammu and Kashmir were deprived of the right that our daughters had in rest of the states.” It’s been more than one year since the abrogation of the Article 370, and there have been multitudinous stories where women from remotest of the areas have risen to fame. No doubt that, the grit and hard work of these female champions have been the major drivers of their success but it is also germane to mention that scrapping of the Article 370 has allowed them greater and easy access to the opportunities and the resources to transcend in their fields.
For the empowerment of women in Kashmir and giving women equal status & rights as men, the Government of India has launched various schemes with an aim to empower women in various spheres of life. Such as:
Inclusive development cannot be attained unless women participate equally in the development process. Region like Kashmir face huge gender inequalities which have a direct bearing on their mental and social development. Empowerment of women in Kashmir requires a sustained and strong commitment by stakeholders, a well targeted resources and a favourable policy environment. For the overall development of this section, long term improvements are required in education and awareness opportunities. For the short term, significant progress can be achieved by expanding and strengthening essential awareness among masses about gender equality, improving policies and spreading favourable atmosphere for women.
