Women of Kashmir urge progress toward peace between India and Pakistan. An Intra-Kashmir Women’s Conference, organized by the New Delhi Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation and Srinagar Women for Peace, was held on 27-29 September 2011 in Gulmarg to bring 45 women together from both sides of the Line of Control, a boundary separating Pakistan-administered Kashmir from India-controlled Kashmir, to strategize for peace. The disputed 1972 Line of Control is a military (de facto) border between Indian and Pakistan controlled Kashmir. The Indian military commenced construction of a double-row electrified fencing and concertina wire 2.4-3.7 metres (8-12 feet) in height along the 740 kilometres (460 miles) border. The land in between the fencing is mined. Its initial purpose was to keep out Pakistan militants who crossed into the Indian side of Kashmir, the disputed state, although Pakistan has objected to the barrier stating it is illegal to erect such as construction.
The outcome of the Intra-Kashmir Women’s Conference was the decision to establish a joint forum of women for “peace, security, and economic stability to prevail throughout the region and an immediate end to the protracted conflict.” They demanded the inclusion of women in all peace-building, peace dialogues, and peace negotiations regarding Kashmir. Some women’s policy groups had been holding dialogues since 2003 to address misperceptions and distrust. However, the firm demand was now for wider coverage and support for dialogue at all levels to address the concerns of women and to advance women as peace-builders.
In addition, the women attendees urged India and Pakistan to simplify procedures related to trade, communication and travel across the Line of Control; to respect the ceasefire with an immediate halt to violations; address land mine issues; immediately release stray crossers; initiate phased demilitarisation in all civilian areas; and repeal “draconian” acts such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Public Safety Act.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 by the Parliament of India conferred special powers on armed forces to legitimize their presence in emergency situations which have been deemed by the Indian government as “war-like” by local leaders. In essence, the Act (employed since 1990) gives Indian army officers legal immunity for their actions in the area classified as a “disturbed area.” In December 2006, Indian Prime Minister Mamohan Singh declared that the Act be amended to ensure it was humane. Protests on September 10, 2010, turned violent the next day, marking the anniversary of the controversial act. The Indian Government is considering partial withdrawal of the Act. The Act has been criticized by international and local human rights organizations. The Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (1978) by the Parliament of India prevents the entry of unauthorized persons and grants the military powers to search and detain trespassers. The Act has also been criticized by international human rights groups because people detained are at risk of being tortured.
The women of the conference also demanded an end to all human rights abuses violations on both sides, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, crackdowns, searches, displacement, and rehabilitation of displaced communities without segregation.
Another demand was for 33% quota for women in assemblies, councils and local government bodies on both sides of the Line of Control to strengthen women’s representation, deal with gender issues, and establish human rights commissions to monitor and report gender-based issues. This would include the establishment of legal aid committees to address women’s issues, and the initiation of people-friendly police reforms and gender sensitization of all law enforcement agencies.
Gender budgeting and fairer resource distribution for women’s issues was also demanded, as well as greater access to health, education and micro-financing schemes, a revisit of the education curriculum, vocational skills training, employment opportunities, and a wage policy for women.
Martina Nicolls is the author of Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010).
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