On International Women Day-J&K Gujjar women-a most discriminated lot

by Scoop News    March 08, 2009

  More than 1.4 million Gujjar women are facing utter gender discriminations in Socio- Political and Government organizations of Jammu and Kashmir. There presence in all the major institutions of the State, since 1947,    is almost negligible said a recent survey conducted by Tribal Research and Cultural foundation- a National Organization working on Indian Tribes with special focus on Gujjars.

Releasing the survey on the eve of International Women Day Dr. Javaid Rahi, National Secretary of the Foundation revealed on Sanday that early marriage system, illiteracy, extreme poverty,  and nomadic way of life is causing dark shadows over the future of Gujjar women , constitute more than 14% of total population of J&K , residing in the most backward, hilly and border areas of State.

The Survey said that although the State Government has provided 10% reservation since 1991 to Gujjars under Scheduled Tribe category ,   but it is surprising that the presence of women folk of this tribe in Political and  Government affairs is almost Zero.

The survey which covers the overall development of Gujjar Women revealed that  since 1947  no Gujjar women has either been elected or nominated as member of  State Legislative Assembly and Council or Parliament till date.

The survey reveals that during last sixty-two year  only three women from this community have qualified Combine Service  Examination  (KAS). No women from Gujjar tribe has served as under Secretary  or above rank in JK Civil Secretariat since its establishment or even non of them had remained  Sub Divisional Magistrate or above in State administration, since 1947.

 In state J &K  Police department, the situation is more worst as among  390 Dy.S P, 163 S P/ SSPs, 2l DIGs and 19 IGs/ADG’s/ DG’s no Gujjar Women had served even as lowest rank officer like Dy SP in Police for the last 62 year of independence , the Survey revealed .

Survey Says , State Judiciary, which provide justice to people , there are 85 Munsifs,56 Sub Judges 67 District and Session Judges and 14 High Court  Judges while only one women from Gujjar community has been surving as Session Judge. Since 1928, no Gujjar women had served in this institution.  

The survey also focused,   J&K Bank, there are 3352 officer ranking staff members from Probationary Officers/Managers to the  Chairman of the Bank. No women from Gujjar tribe had  served PO or above in  this institution since its establishment.

Survey further reveals , there are 303 teachers in University of Jammu  and  364  in Kashmir University,  includes  Lecturers, Readers and Professors there is not a single women teacher appointed / Serving or served  both Universities  since the establishment of both.

During the survey a most surprising revelation was that the only Government department working for Gujjar Affairs in Civil Secretariat, i.e., State Advisory Board for the  Development of Gujjars and Bakerwals have 16 staff members from Chairman to orderly and there is not a single Gujjar women has  served this board since its establishment.

Chart showing the presence of  JK Gujjar Women in State’s major institution since 1947

 (Read more at www.scoopnews.in)

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