Opinion | Women in Economy: The Changing Role of Kashmiri Women in Development

The role of women in the economy has often been unrecognised and underestimated, and in many cases, their contribution is not even properly reflected in the GDP of countries. Women contribute through agriculture, household management, and other forms of formal and informal labour. They are often the ones who prepare and support other family members to participate in economic activities. If given due recognition and opportunities, women can become one of the strongest forces of social transformation and sustainable development.

When it comes to Kashmir, the story becomes both interesting and concerning at the same time. The region has faced decades of turmoil, uncertainty, unrest, and political as well as social disruption. This created deep apprehensions among people, and women became one of the first victims of these circumstances. Many were gradually confined to the four walls of their homes. Fear of being stopped, checked at checkpoints, questioned by security personnel, or getting into uncomfortable situations discouraged many women from moving freely in public spaces. As a result, many remained limited to domestic responsibilities and invisible economic contributions, while a large number also dropped out of studies. The impact of that period still continues to reflect in society today.

However, the situation today appears visibly different. A gradual shift can be seen, with women emerging as entrepreneurs and making their presence felt in education, especially higher education and STEM subjects. Women are increasingly participating in governance, tourism, handicrafts, technology, agriculture, healthcare, and the service sector.

This transformation, however, should neither be romanticised nor reduced to political propaganda. The reality is far more complex. Progress has come through changing social attitudes, educational advancement, government intervention, institutional reforms, digital access, and the resilience of women themselves. At the same time, challenges related to unemployment, social conservatism, workplace safety, mobility, and unequal opportunities continue to exist. Therefore, the story of Kashmiri women in the economy is not a one-sided success narrative, but a gradual socio-economic and political transition.

Historically, Kashmiri women have always contributed to the economy through agriculture, horticulture, livestock care, carpet weaving, shawl-making, embroidery, and household industries. Yet much of this work remained underpaid or unrecognised in formal economic records. Different labour surveys conducted over the years have shown that women’s participation in the labour force in Jammu and Kashmir remained below the national average for a long time, especially in urban areas.

The major change in recent years is that women are working, and that their work is becoming visible, organised, and institutionally supported. Today, women are running self-help groups (SHGs), online businesses, boutiques, food enterprises, dairy units, craft startups, and tourism-related ventures. Social media and digital platforms have also enabled many women entrepreneurs to market their products beyond local markets.

The expansion of women-led Self Help Groups under schemes such as the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM has been one of the significant signs of change. Thousands of women across different districts of Kashmir have joined SHGs involved in embroidery and tailoring, food processing, mushroom cultivation, dairy and poultry production, saffron and dry fruit packaging, handicrafts, and tourism-related activities.

These programmes provided women with access to microfinance, bank linkages, skill development, and market exposure. In many villages, SHGs became the first platform where women independently handled financial transactions and collective decision-making. Government records in recent years have shown a steady increase in SHG membership and rural enterprise development. Women’s economic participation has also increased because of improvements in female literacy and higher education. The growing enrolment of girls in universities, professional colleges, nursing institutes, and skill development programmes is clearly visible in Kashmir today. Women are now entering sectors that were once largely inaccessible to them, including administration, banking, media, law enforcement, medicine, and information technology.

This shift has been supported by scholarship schemes, the expansion of educational institutions, and better transport facilities. Parents who were once reluctant to send daughters outside their localities for education are now increasingly encouraging professional careers for girls.

However, the results of educational attainment have not always been reflected in employment opportunities. Kashmir is still struggling with unemployment issues for its educated youths, both male and female. The reason why many educated women are still unable to participate in the workforce can be traced to several factors.

Safety and mobility have also played a major role in determining women’s participation in the economy. In societies affected by conflict and conservative social norms, families often hesitate to send women out for studies or employment unless they feel there is adequate security and proper public infrastructure. Kashmir has experienced this reality for years. Over time, several steps have helped in changing this situation. The implementation of the POSH Act fully in workplaces and institutions, installation of CCTV cameras in public spaces and colleges, introduction of e-buses, women police stations, women help desks, and awareness programmes regarding workplace safety and rights have contributed towards creating greater confidence among people. Increased security and monitoring in urban areas and good communication including road connectivity, made many families more comfortable about allowing their daughters to travel for education and work.

These measures may appear administrative, but socially they have had an impact. For many women, even small improvements in public safety and transport influence decisions regarding education, employment, and independent mobility. At the same time, the situation is still far from perfect. Many women, especially those working in informal sectors, are not fully aware of their legal rights under the POSH Act. In rural areas, access to complaint systems and institutional support remains weak. This shows that laws alone cannot bring change unless awareness, implementation, and accountability grow alongside them.

Another visible transformation is the rise of young women entrepreneurs using digital tools and social media platforms. Today, Kashmiri women run online bakeries, clothing brands, craft businesses, beauty services, educational platforms, and food startups through Instagram, Facebook, and e-commerce platforms.

The digital economy has also helped remove some social barriers since women can now do their jobs from home while connecting with broader markets. In times of pandemic and post-pandemic periods, several women-owned online enterprises have flourished significantly. There were training programs, startup incubators, and financial assistance provided to women entrepreneurs by government agencies and entrepreneurship development institutions. Nevertheless, many women, especially in rural areas, are unable to overcome issues associated with capital availability, Internet connection, branding, and market linkages.

The resumption of tourism activities in various regions of Kashmir has also provided new possibilities for women. Women are beginning to become active participants in home-stay ventures, eco-tourism projects, local cuisine businesses, travel agencies, craft fairs, and cultural entrepreneurship. Likewise, Kashmir crafts, which have always relied significantly on the labour of women, are now getting a second chance to showcase themselves in fairs as well as e-commerce portals. Women craftswomen working in isolation are beginning to emerge as independent economic agents.

While the growing visibility of women entrepreneurs and professionals is important, isolated examples should not overshadow broader realities. Economic transformation cannot be measured only through social media narratives or ceremonial events. Real empowerment requires equal access to education and employment, safe workplaces and public spaces, financial independence, legal awareness, market opportunities, institutional accountability, and inclusion of rural and marginalised women.

The progress of Kashmiri women is real, but uneven. Urban, educated women often benefit more quickly from new opportunities than women in remote or economically weaker areas. Therefore, future policies must focus on representation as well as structural inclusion. This transformation should be understood with honesty rather than exaggeration. The story of women in Kashmir’s economy is about recognising a gradual shift where opportunity, policy, safety, and social change are together reshaping the role of women in public life.

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