India, Pakistan must simplify procedures in trade, communication across LOC

The two-day Intra-Kashmir Women's conference that concluded in Gulmarg on Thursday sought an end to protracted conflict in the State and decided to set up a joint forum for peace comprising women from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

In a statement here on Friday, the participants said: “We, the women of entire Jammu and Kashmir, from both sides of the LoC desire peace, security, and economic stability to prevail throughout the region and an immediate end to the protracted conflict. We demand the inclusion of women in all peace-building and peace negotiations/dialogue on Kashmir.”

The resolution of the Kashmir issue must reflect the aspirations of all regions and communities of all parts of undivided Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan, they felt.

They urged India and Pakistan to simplify procedures in trade, communication and travel across the LoC and open other trade and travel routes, like Kargil-Skardu, Chamb-Bhimbar, and Leh-Khaplu; respect the ceasefire with immediate halt to violations and address land mine issues; immediately release stray crossers; initiate phased de-militarisation in all civilian areas, and repeal ‘draconian' Acts such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).

“The government should review its policy towards the Special Police Officers, Special Operations Group and Village Defence Committees,” they said in their charter of demands, adding that human rights abuses and violations of all kinds – arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, crackdowns, searches, displacement of all kinds, rehabilitation of displaced communities without segregation – by all sides should be ended.

They also demanded 33 per cent quota for women in the Assembly, Councils, and local bodies on both sides of the LoC; adequate women's representation in departments dealing with gender issues; representation of women in and the strengthening of autonomous and independent State institutions to monitor and report gender-based issues, such as the State Commission for Women, State Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, and the establishment of similar Commissions in other regions.

They wanted establishment of legal aid committees and village helpline by the State to immediately address issues of half-widows and sexual assault; State compensations to be brought under civil law; initiation of immediate people-friendly police reforms and gender sensitisation of all the law enforcement agencies; greater access to education; and student and faculty exchange programme across the LoC.

They demanded implementation of gender budgeting and allocation of resources across sectors; increase in women's access to micro-financing schemes; imparting of vocational and skills training for women and provision of marketing facilities for small entrepreneurs; effective implementation of wage policy for women; and attention to women's health issues, especially maternal and infant mortality and mental health.

They resolved to establish a network through Internet and other means for inter-regional, inter-community, cross-LoC coordination of women's groups and individuals for peace building; and form a joint forum of women's organisations working for peace from both sides of the LoC for inclusion in all peace negotiations and discussions.

Forty five women from all regions of J&K, as well as PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan participated. The meet was organised by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR), New Delhi, and the Women for Peace, Srinagar.

The conference deliberated on women's role in peace-building and policy-making.