Reema Shaukat
From 25th of November till 10th of December, every year, these 16 days are dedicated to women around the world and marked as days of activism to protect women against any kind of violence. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN and regional experts on violence against women and women’s rights call upon all States to close the gap between international and national laws on rape and sexual violence. In recent years, through campaigns such as #MeToo, #TimesUp, #Niunamenos, #NotOneMore, and others, the voices of rape survivors, both in times of war and in peace, have placed the spotlight on this issue and have reached an upsurge that can no longer be silenced or ignored. While there are days to honour and admire contribution of women in society, still there are certain stereotypes which are always associated with women and need to be changed.
Generally speaking, one of the important facet which is often neglected while talking about women rights and abuse is the dilemma of rape. This word itself is considered as stigma in society and many cases of rape if highlighted or reported end up with no conclusive change in mind-set of society as a whole. Such incidents are becoming common and many factors are held responsible for these incidents of rape. Unfortunately, rape is also used a tool of punishment in conflict zones and history suggests that this one element of violence is used as an effective weapon and strategy for disarming psychological war. This weapon of rape was used by many combatants and this global issue has no national boundaries of ideology or religion. It is more of associated with masculine identity commonly but in war times there is often violation of men and children too through different means of torture and distress. Therefore, it often does not remain gender bound but women being soft target are more of victims of rape in war precincts. There are many examples of such mass rapes during conflicts and war times during Rawanda genocide, Bosnia & Kosovo conflicts, Khojaly massacre by Armenian forces in Azerbaijan and not to forget Kashmir where such incidents occur frequently to suppress freedom movement.
In Kashmir history mass rape incident ensued in area of Kunan Poshpora in February, 1991 and social stigma generated out of this incident is that women still face difficulties in getting married. Until recently, there existed no punishment for “war rape” in international law. War crimes or humanitarian law specifically focuses on the treatment of the civilian population and “any devastation not justified by military necessity”. Thereafter, war rape has rarely been prosecuted as a war crime. Since 1949 Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits wartime rape and enforced prostitution. These prohibitions were reinforced by the 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Though legislations are present by international organizations for such war victims but to make this world a safer place for women, education, media, governments, law enforcements can together bring a change and for such incidents awareness surely is the prevention. Women in Indian-Occupied Kashmir have been subjected to great sufferings since the uprising in the valley began in 1989. Many of them have been widowed, displaced, tortured, raped, and jailed. Some have also had their sons killed in the ongoing conflict. Because of the unending disorder, women in Kashmir are forced to undergo many hardships. Life is not easy for them in any case, yet they are fighting bravely against all hardships and stand like rock against Indian oppression despite losing their loved ones daily. Kashmiri women are not only rape survivors. A large number of them also become half-widows as a result of large-scale violence in the region. The existence of half widows is unique to Occupied Kashmir, referring to women whose husbands were picked up by the Indian armed forces, never to return.
It’s not about loss of loved ones in Kashmir but unfortunately Indian forces do not spare single female of any age to target them of their barbarism. Young school going girls were victim of pellet guns. Those who come out of houses for protest are beaten in an inhumane way. During the search operations in houses, they are abused and those who try to raise their raise voice against barbarism are made silent by killing of Indian forces. But one should salute their will and resilience that they gather in large numbers often, protest for their right of self-determination along with other Kashmiris men and women and chant slogans of Azadi or freedom. For sure, one day their struggle will bear fruit and they will be having free land from tyrants. Women in Kashmir always stand by their men in political struggles for Kashmir. Though they are not very active in politics but yet they share their participation at different occasions. Sadly we see that many women are part of politics and decision making processes but worldwide it is witnessed that women are not part of peace processes between conflicted countries. Women through their abilities can play pivotal role in resolving conflicts and Kashmiri women must be appreciated, supported and encouraged at every step because they are the ones who are standing firm against all odds.
After 5th of August, 2019 and the abrogation of Article 370, India put Kashmir under a complete military lockdown. After this change in Indian mind-set about Occupied Kashmir is quite alarming as typically it generated sense in Indians that they can marry any Kashmiri women they want, Kashmiri women are shown as innocent, naive, dolled up beings. Especially the way women of Kashmir are objectified on daily basis in India, the way their bodies are portrayed as vulnerable and used to create fear and intimidation, has heightened the sense of being preyed upon by any Indian soldier in occupied valley. On every forum voice is raised against Indian subjugation in Occupied Kashmir and particularly rising statistics of violence against women must be noticed and acted upon as rape is one of the most under-reported crimes, and even when it is reported it is rarely prosecuted. This is due to a number of factors including gender based stereotypes, as well as criminal justice systems which define rape based on the use of force. India must be stopped forcefully now to stop worst human and women rights violations in occupied territory.
