Srinagar :
Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC) have
established a joint forum for promoting peace in the region.
The two-day Intra-Kashmir Women’s conference which concluded
in famous tourist resort in Gulmarg sought an end to protracted conflict in
Jammu and Kashmir region and also decided to set up a joint forum for peace
comprising women from all three units of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistani
AJK and Gilgit Baltistan(GB)
At the end of Intra-Kashmir Conference a statement was issued
which said that the women of entire
Jammu and Kashmir, from both sides of the Line of Control(LoC) desire peace,
security, and economic stability to prevail throughout the region and an
immediate end to the protracted conflict.
“We demand the inclusion of women in all peace-building and peace
negotiations and dialogue on Kashmir,” it said.
Over fifty five women from all parts of Jammu and Kashmir,
including Pakistani Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan attend the
Intra-Kashmir Conference which was organized by Delhi based The Centre for
Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) in collaboration with Women for Peace.
Mrs.Tanveer Latif , the chief pattern of Press For
Peace(PFP) represented the women of Azad
Kashmir.
The participants of Intra-Kashmir Women Conference said that the
resolution of the Kashmir issue must reflect the aspirations of all regions and
communities of all parts of undivided Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit
Baltistan.
They urged India and Pakistan to simplify procedures in
trade, communication and travel across the LoC and open other trade and travel
routes, like Kargil-Skardu, Chamb-Bhimbar, and Leh-Khaplu; respect the
ceasefire with immediate halt to violations and address land mine issues;
immediately release stray crossers; initiate phased de-militarisation in all
civilian areas, and repeal ‘draconian’ Acts such as the Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).
The Conference said that the human rights abuses and
violations of all kinds – arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced
disappearances, sexual violence, crackdowns, searches, displacement of all
kinds, rehabilitation of displaced communities without segregation – by all
sides should be ended.
They also demanded 33 per cent quota for women in the
Assemblies, Councils, and local bodies on both sides of the LoC; adequate
women’s representation in departments dealing with gender issues;
representation of women in and the strengthening of autonomous and independent
State institutions to monitor and report gender-based issues, such as the State
Commission for Women, State Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, and
the establishment of similar Commissions in other regions.
They wanted establishment of legal aid committees and village
helpline by the State to immediately address issues of half-widows and sexual
assault; State compensations to be brought under civil law; initiation of
immediate people-friendly police reforms and gender sensitisation of all the
law enforcement agencies; greater access to education; and student and faculty
exchange programme across the LoC.
They also demanded implementation of gender budgeting and
allocation of resources across sectors; increase in women’s access to
micro-financing schemes; imparting of vocational and skills training for women
and provision of marketing facilities for small entrepreneurs; effective
implementation of wage policy for women; and attention to women’s health
issues, especially maternal and infant mortality and mental health.
The participants of the conference also resolved to establish
a network through Internet and other means for inter-regional, inter-community,
cross-Line of Control (LoC) coordination of women’s groups and individuals for
peace building; and form a joint forum of women’s organisations working for
peace from both sides of the LoC for inclusion in all peace negotiations and
discussions.
Leave Your Comments