Islamabad
Highlighting the alarming increase in violence against women in the UN recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir; the panelists at a Webinar said that the rising tide of violence against women in Kashmir merits urgent attention and action by the international community to combat this menace.
The Webinar titled “Combating violence against women” was convened by the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) in collaboration with World Muslim Congress (WMC), Community Human Rights and Advocacy Centre (CHRAC) and International Muslim Women Union (IMWU) was organized at the sidelines of the 44th session of United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Webinar gathered well reputed independent international experts and rights activists championing the women rights including Margaret Owen OBE, Julie Ward former MEP, Marina Zucca, an expert in International Human Rights Law and International Criminal Law, Catherine Constantinides Human rights defender from South Africa, Dr Saira Shah, Ms Soraya Boyd UK and Mrs Shamim Shawl permanent representative IMWU.
The KIIR Chairman Altaf Hussain Wani while welcoming the panelists formally opened a debate on the topic, whereas, the rest of the proceedings were moderated by Prof. Shagufta Ashraf.
Highlighting the alarming increase in violence against women in the UN recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the panelists on the occasion, expressed their grave concern over the rising tide of violence and said, “The levels, degrees and types of ongoing relentless violence inflicted on Kashmiri women is unprecedented specially since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on 5 August 2019”.
The panelists condemned the structural, physical, psychological, sexual forms of violence committed against Kashmiri women of all age groups including young and adolescent girls.
Veteran women rights barrister Margaret Owen OBE while elaborating the types of violence inflicted upon the women said, “This should not be looked upon as a cause for celebration but as a matter to be deplored principally because in Kashmir more than anywhere else COVID-19 is killing many men, which means that there are more widows”.
Referring to the dire situation in the IoK she said, “Nothing is sacred and Modi’s government uses violence of any type to demoralize and stigmatize an entire community”. Referring to Kashmir and an international matter, Margaret expressed dismay over Keir Starmer for not being able to understand and see what was going on in Kashmir.
Julie Ward, who recently lost her mother while referring to the plight of Kashmir women, said that she was incredibly fortunate to be able to grieve and go through the precious bereavement process, which she said was forcibly denied to Kashmiri mothers and wives, children and relatives whose near and dear ones were being killed.—APP