Opinion | Kashmiri Women in Politics: A Historic Shift

Women in Kashmir have played a prominent role in all spheres of society, whether political, social, or cultural. The role of women In Kashmir’s emerging political landscape is a vital and evolving aspect of the region’s development.

Women in India, as in many other countries, are awfully under-represented in political institutions. Like other states of India, the position of women in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir remained inferior all over the states. However, from the early decades of the 20th century, women in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir became conscious about their suppression due to the emergence of political consciousness, development of modern education, spread of cultural awareness, and corrosion of economic conditions.
Women in Kashmir have played a prominent role in all spheres of society, whether political, social, or cultural. The role of women In Kashmir’s emerging political landscape is a vital and evolving aspect of the region’s development. Historically, women’s representation in politics has been limited, with no female candidates successfully securing seats before the 1972 elections. However, since then, there has been a gradual increase in female participation, with women occupying 8% of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly by 2002.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir were granted the right to vote in 1934 for the very first time, and was done on a very limited scale as far as women were concerned. The “Naya Kashmir Manifesto” adopted by the National Conference has charted regarding women as ‘women charter’. This was the manifesto that gave the women of the state every political right, that is the right to vote, right to elect, and the right to be elected in all institutions on the basis of equality with men.

The part 10th of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir dealt with the election in the state. It proposed the right of the women to elect and to be elected in all institutions on the basis of equality with men and also the grant of equal right to women in all fields of national life including service in the state. The women in Jammu and Kashmir participated in assembly elections for the first time in 1972. In this election, the majority of the women contestants (4 out of 6) won.
After independence, the economic conditions of the erstwhile UT of Jammu and Kashmir women started to improve, but the political zeal in the women of Jammu and Kashmir was hardly visible. The Begum Akbar Jahan Abdullah, wife of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the first
Prime Minister of the erstwhile UT of Jammu and Kashmir, had played a prominent role in politics, and she was also the first female to reach parties. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was a significant step towards opening up the space for women’s political participation and acknowledging their role in the development of the village. The Act reserved one-third of seats for women in panchayats.
Despite facing challenges, women in Kashmir continue to break barriers and make strides in politics and social activism. Their emergence in Kashmir’s political landscape is vital for the region’s development. The role of women In Kashmir’s emerging political landscape is a vital and evolving aspect of the region’s development. As women continue to assert their rights and challenge societal norms, their voices will shape the future of Kashmir’s politics.

With increasing participation and success stories, women are paving the way for a brighter future for generations to come. Women in Kashmir have made significant strides in politics and social activism. Their emergence in Kashmir’s political landscape is crucial for the region’s development.
A shining example of this emergence is Fatah Begum, an 80-year-old widow who became a Sarpanch, busting myths about gender and age. Married at a young age, she was left with eight children after her husband’s death. She worked as a laborer, educated her children, and eventually became a successful entrepreneur, selling milk from her cows.
Fatah Begum’s interest in politics was met with discouragement, but she refused to be sidelined. During the Sarpanch elections, she was told to contest for a Panch Member post due to her age, but she persevered. Her determination led many competitors to withdraw, and she emerged victorious.
Her victory shattered stereotypes surrounding gender, age, and leadership, inspiring other elderly individuals to participate in local governance. Fatah Begum aims to create a society where women lead and contribute to nation-building. As Sarpanch, she has overseen infrastructure projects, initiated educational scholarships, and vocational training programs. Fatah Begum’s story serves as a testament to the power of women’s leadership in Kashmir, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.
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