ISLAMABAD: On International Women’s Day, the global community unites to honor women’s accomplishments and advocate for gender equality. However, according to Kashmir media service, in Kashmir, the observance of International Women’s Day carries a somber tone overshadowed by the harsh realities of conflict and occupation.
According to the report, in 2024, the United Nations theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” emphasizes the crucial need to empower women worldwide. However, for the women of Kashmir, March 8 serves as a stark reminder of their ongoing struggles rather than a cause for celebration.
In Jammu and Kashmir, women are experiencing both direct and indirect effects of state-sponsored violence. The loss of loved ones, including husbands, brothers, and sons, has led to the emergence of a distinct group known as ‘half-widows’ (women trapped in the uncertainty of their missing husbands’ fate).
The region is filled with tales of the societal obstacles faced by half-widows after their partners’ disappearance. This dilemma is compounded by the psychological trauma of rape and sexual assault. The profound impact of sexual assault on women is evident across psychological, emotional, economic, and educational dimensions.
The startling figures highlight the scope of this unsaid tragedy. IOK is home to two to three thousand half-widows, all of whom are burdened with deep loss and unresolved sorrow. To make matters worse, 6,000 orphans—the kids of these half-widows—have to deal with growing up in the wake of a conflict that has left them severely damaged. The actual number, however, is thought to be far higher and is hidden by the general atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that surrounds the area. These numbers are merely the tip of the iceberg.
Nevertheless, given the widespread anxiety and uncertainty engulfing the area, these numbers probably only reflect a small portion of the actual total. The tragically high number of half-widows in recent years reflects the ongoing suffering and misery these women go through—a burden that even exceeds that of women who have lost loved ones to the Indian army’s gunfire. —APP
