Suhaib Idrees Lateef
Celebrated on 8th March every year, the Women’s day is a day dedicated to privilege and tribute the achievements of a Women’s notion and line of thinking, throughout history and all across the globe including our green charming Valley, and is typically a day for women from all different backgrounds and cultures to band together to fight for gender parity and women’s rights. It is a global day that celebrates social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a ‘call to action’ to increase gender equality and the Unbiased nature towards the section and their notion.
The day aimed and protected to help thoroughly, worldwide as to eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development and their full basic and fundamental rights. Today’s world is much supportive and encouraging towards the women folk in every field and every respect. It is not affiliated with any one group, but brings together governments, women’s organizations, corporations and charities. The day is marked around the world with arts performances, talks, rallies, networking events, conferences and marches. These women have shown their devotion and prosperity by being very close to Men, sometimes taking more front than Men in many fields and we are getting better outcomes.
March 8 is a sad reminder for the women folk of Kashmir that they have yet to touch the realm of freedom and liberty which women in other parts are enjoying with a graph of full bloom. The women are seen much more dependent and less empowered in Kashmir in every sphere whether we go for political atmosphere or social environment. They are being deprived of their basic culture and are being dealt with inhumane treatment. This day will end in the agony of Kashmir by holding some little shore seminars at Government gatherings, Schools, Colleges and in university talk shows. This day reminds us of all of our duties, our jobs and responsibilities towards our own gender so they come out of this black shadow and at least live a life of dignity and liberty with some degree of honor. This special day, dedicated to women around the world, should be our collective conscience of the great success of women across all spheres of life as well as shaping the future. The objective of Women’s Day should be to express love and gratitude towards women’s; contribution to our lives and society. Instead of flaunting the freedom we should provide them with a full-fledged and trust them with a greater liberty. In Kashmir it all remains in question. Why did she rest more? Why will she Market or Enterprise? She can’t study, she can’t plan. Why? She is not allowed to watch dreams. All the time she is ignored. Why all this stuff? Alas!!! At least we should rehabilitate them. There are many compartments and sections in Women of tragic stories in which women are suffering. We should try and sit with them and try to know their catastrophic and heart wrenching stories. The deprived class of women living an extremely difficult life with their in-laws for the desire of meagre irresponsible things of dowry or other social issues. Acid attack cases and their deserted life after being desolated by society of high-class people. The previous year examples of Srinagar and Shopian. Asifa’s case, Nirbaya cases are the blatant issues at our eyes, how anyone can forget? Heather workplace or home, including intimidation and seen gender bias in every sphere of life they are facing, are some of the checkpoints at ground reality. Now where is the real fame and fortune of liberty existing for them.
On this International Women’s Day, it would be pertinent to highlight and project the women rights situation in Kashmir and draw the attention of the international community towards the same. Kashmiri women have been playing a big role for achieving their rights – Social, Political as well as Economic Rights regarding Education, Social Circle and Right to live (the most basic), as they don’t enjoy the basic rights which are given under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and even promised under CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women) adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly described as an international bill of rights for women. This defines women rights and their fundamental freedom in the Social, cultural, economic and other basic sphere of life, which are missing in our homeland. Compared to women in other parts of the world are putting their demands for full education, health care, marketing share etc.
Facts are depressing when it comes to other issues and it is much catastrophic when it comes to helping other women to come out of this dark shadow of tragedies and live a normal life. It is their pure resilience against the odds that they are afloat along with their shattered dreams.
Yesterday’s Iran proves a best example, where at Society at large along with nascent women NGO culture in Kashmir have done very little to make life better for women in Kashmir. It is strange that the whole Jammu and Kashmir state has no home for destitute women, great trodden women and all other deprived and terrified with social and moral injustice. A less visited ward of SMHS and related hospitals and homes is the place for all such depressed class women. Amid such catastrophic scenarios, speeches and talks at little shore rooms only mock the realities.
Despite being the example of Indra Gandhi, Sarojni Naidu, Revolutionary Jhansi Ki Rani, Bachandri Pal, Teena Dabi (youngest women IAS topper), Sehrish Asgar, Sania Mirza, our prestige Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon and all other such women to encourage them, these are mother’s, these are Sister’s, this is the folk who are making you, making societies, however in vice versa Societies ruin them, Infact we get only a dark chapter in outcome. Despite such lows, there is a brighter side also that reveals how many women in spite of many odds have not only reared their children but have made them the best students and good people for the society. My Mom being the example, she despite being hit by odds of society always remained with us, with me. (I love you my mom). Resilience of such women has become inspiration for others in this folk to fight and get space in society. In history, Education and the political sphere, there are lots of inspirational stories of journeys undertaken by women in achieving their impossible and important goals. We should always try to boost the female folk with an enthusiastic approach and appreciate them for being a part of our success in every respect. The cases of divorce rate have increased many folds and has become a new normal in Kashmir. The women abuse and harassment cases have also taken an upper graph in the society.
Although in Srinagar city and many Towns, women are trying to create a space for them but women folk in rural areas like in the families of Guessed, Bakerwal are living in an inhumane culture. Women in such tribes have avoided their fate and have forgotten their destiny towards the world. This should be noted, the politicians met and reminded them during their electoral hours only, that is very disgusting. All those women of developed circle, NGOs should come and take responsibility to assist and work for liberation of those girls whose education is stopped and forced to marry against their wishes. All those Agencies and NGOs, in spite of showing their presence should come to work at ground level. It is an enormous request for them. They should work to create a shelter for all such Kashmiri women who had no home to live, to express them. My wishing and heartbreak tributes to Kashmiri women on this day.
I am also thankful to my mother; the character encouraged me to write for such a prestigious cause. Thank you and love you my Mom for always being with us and with me. By concluding, I would like to dedicate this write-up to all such Kashmiri women.
Author is working in Higher Education Department Jammu and Kashmir, can be mailed at idreesdalal865@ gmail.com
