Government preventing women to play greater role in peace-building: Shameema Firdous

Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, June 06 (KNB): Stating that if the government had ensured the protection of women in Kashmir they would have played a greater role in peace-building, MLA Habba Kadal and National Conference Leader Shameema Firdous said the women in Kashmir have not received the security, safety they deserve.



Talking to Kashmir News Bureau (KNB) Shameema said the position of women in the present ruling regime has made the folk helpless even before their sons who join the militant ranks out of the government’s policy of pushing youth towards the wall.
She said the rights and security of women can only be assured if there could be some serious steps at the government level.
She said to involve women who have faced the brunt of violence and victims should be the first priority of the ruling dispensation to ensure their dominant role in every other field.
When questioned about the justice denied in Kunan and Poshpora twin villages’ case, the MLA said instead of making hue and cry in assembly there is need to devise a mechanism to bring the perpetrators under justice.



Asked what steps should be taken to involve women in peace-building Shameema stated “To make policies more effective, strategic steps need to be taken. Women are still primarily seen as victims of conflict – as opposed to perpetrators, or agents of change – which means that responses mostly deal with aspects of sexual and gender-based violence.”
Pertinently, UNSC resolution 1325 recognizes that women are disproportionally affected by conflict, and to address this, women should play a key role in achieving lasting peace after conflict. (KNB)