• Sabeel Hussan Naqvi
• Umme Abiha Rizvi

The disharmony in Kashmir is as old as the Independence of India and Pakistan . The populace of Kashmir are yet to visualize the light of the promise made to them by the Indian regime at the time of accession . Women constitute half of the world population, but are excluded in almost all respects. They are neglected at family, community and societal levels and living as suppressed class. Historically they have been subjected to cruel form of physical , sexual and psychological violence and enjoy least socio economic status. They have been victims of gender based violence and their distress got strengthed further due to patriarchal nature of society . The doubt about the future has perpetuated the conflict to the present day where common kashmiri has become disappointed about the Indian state and its democratic values. This has given rise to violence that has taken shape of insurgency and counterinsurgency .The women of Kashmir have been on the receiving end in this conflict. They are the worst victims in this conflicts. Feminism was a major response to challenge patriarchy at global level as well as with in the national boundaries. Like other states of India the women in state of Jammu and Kashmir remained subordinate all over the state. However from the earlier 20th century , women in the state of J&K got conscious about their subordination due to the emergence of political consciousness , modern education, cultural awareness and deterioration of economic conditions. Women in Kashmir have been active participants in political movement , whether against Dogra regime or against the tribal invasion of late 1947 in the form of Women Self Defence Corps. The liberal attitude of kashmiri society towards women was echoed by Naya Kashmir Manifesto of Sheikh Abdullah in 1944 which aimed at helping women in providing them equal and rightful place in the society and allow them to make there contribution to the task of nation building. There have been few women like Behum Akbar Jahan and Zainab Begum who rose to some sort of political stature. This was the result of their strong political backgrounds. Begum Akbar Jahan was the wife of first Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah whereas , Zainab Begum was sister of G.M.Sadiq, another Chief Minister of 70’s . This reflected the dominant patriarchal structure of kashmiri society. The role of women in Panchayati Raj institution is attracting a lot of serious attention in the present context in the state.

Kashmir conflict, Empowerment, Feminism, Women position in legislature

"Role of Women in Kashmir Politics (With special reference to abrogation of Article 370)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 4, page no.1955-1959, April-2020, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2004468.pdf

"Role of Women in Kashmir Politics (With special reference to abrogation of Article 370)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 4, page no. pp1955-1959, April-2020, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2004468.pdf