MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir Digital): Speakers at a seminar in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on International Womens Day urged global institutions to expose human rights violations against Kashmiri women under Indian occupation.
A large gathering convened to observe International Women’s Day, where speakers called on global institutions to remain actively engaged in exposing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Institute of Dialogue, Development, and Diplomatic Studies (IDDDS), in collaboration with Degree College Patika and the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K), hosted a significant seminar titled “Unyielding Struggle of Kashmiri Women and Children Caught Under Indian Occupation” in the state capital on Saturday.
The event aimed to shed light on the hardships endured by Kashmiri women living under Indian rule while reaffirming their rights as recognised by the United Nations (UN) and international law. Attendees included academics, scholars, political figures, civil society members, and students.
Dr Sakeena initiated the event by delivering a thorough presentation that examined women’s position at national and international scales. Dr Sakeena compared Hazrat Khadija (RA) with her husband Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by presenting her as an influential independent woman of history. She provided information about Hazrat Fatima (RA) and the role she played in safeguarding women’s rights within Islamic teachings.
Dr Sakeena emphasised that empowering women is essential in amplifying the voices of Kashmiri women suffering under Indian occupation. She urged the women of Azad Jammu & Kashmir to take responsibility for advocating for their oppressed counterparts across the Line of Control (LoC). According to her, knowledge is the strongest tool for empowerment, and women must excel in various fields to effectively represent the Kashmir cause on national and international platforms.
Imtiaz Awan emphasized the importance of education for women because educated women proved to be the most powerful advocates for Kashmir. The area demonstrates great potential according to Awan because educated women can play a critical role in changing global perspectives about Kashmir.
Media literacy is essential according to Awan who recommends that women learn the required skills so they can fight Indian oppression through public advocacy worldwide.
According to Miss Sakeena, she outlined the multiple duties of women regarding family life and social development and national advancement. According to her the Kashmiri women demonstrate remarkable determination and resilience through their accomplishments in multiple fields despite facing strong obstacles.
She encouraged women to step forward and engage in politics, academia, and media to shape the discourse on Kashmir. While women across the world celebrate their achievements on International Women’s Day, Kashmiri women, she noted, remain victims of grave injustices, with their fundamental rights systematically denied by Indian forces.
Through his research, Dr Waleed Rasool revealed that the Indian occupation has targeted women through sexual abuse alongside forced abductions and unjust arrests as repression tactics.
At least 13 Kashmiri women are suffering imprisonment inside Tihar Jail at present, along with leading activists including Asiya Andrabi, Naheeda Nasreen and Fehmeeda Sofi. Dr Waleed Rasool pointed out the 10,000-page NIA dossier against Asiya Andrabi which demonstrated the complete suppression Kashmiri women leaders currently experience.
Dr Rasool urged educated women in Azad Kashmir to raise their voices for their oppressed sisters in IIOJK. He stressed:
“Women in IIOJK are being silenced, but women in AJ&K are free, they must speak for those who cannot.”
He called for the use of media and academia to amplify the suffering of Kashmiri women on global platforms and demanded that international institutions play an active role in exposing human rights violations in IIOJK.
Participants made a joint decision at the seminar to defend Kashmiri women’s rights through all access levels. The address to international authorities along with media institutions and legal authorities demanded serious attention to Kashmiri women’s affairs.
The occurrence highlighted women’s rights universality as it reinforced the importance of addressing Kashmiri women’s struggles during International Women’s Day.
