Chinar Corps celebrated International Women’s Day today at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar. A galaxy of Kashmiri women came on stage and shared their thoughts and aspirations pertaining to empowerment of women, their struggles and role of Kashmiri women in taking the society forward.
The audience comprised of young Kashmiri women including NCC girls and Army Rifle Women. Five women speakers gave a talk on different topics
Dr. Neelofar Bhat, Principal, Government Degree College Langate spoke on interrelation of Education and Women and role of education in women empowerment. She emphasised that educated women in Kashmir can play a significant role in all round development of Kashmiri society. She urged women to have patience and stay focussed on their goals.
Shiraza Malik, a government employee and professional fitness trainer, spoke about how women are still dominated and not given their due in comparison to their male counterparts in terms of competency and commitment. She said that the situation is however not that grim and women of Kashmir are breaking the bias and are overcoming all odds to achieve greater heights in all spheres of life. She asked the youth to have faith in themselves, while pursuing their dreams. Shiraza Malik is proud mother of Afreen Hyder, All India Rank 03 in Taekwondo, U-62 Kgs.
Captain Kanika from Chinar Corps shared her experience and the challenges she faced in her journey of becoming an Officer after losing her husband Major Kaustubh Rane, Sena Medal (Bar), who laid down his life in the line of duty in Kashmir. Her life is a saga of grit and strength of a woman, who overcame all her personal grief and kept her husband’s dream of serving the nation alive. She spoke at length on the identity and role of women as daughter, mother, sister and wife in shaping the family and the community. She said that women do not have a breaking point and no challenge in her life is insurmountable.
Zeenat Zeeshan Fazil, Kashmir Bureau Head of ‘Republic TV’, spoke about how Media- a powerful agent of change, can be misused as an agent of oppression. She emphasised on how media, including electronic, print and social at regional and national level, plays a crucial role in highlighting the ground reality. She spoke about its role in awakening the society especially youth and encouraging them of their responsibilities. She narrated her arduous journey where with her family’s support, she competed and overcame all hurdles that life posed to her. In a male dominated environment, she was amongst the first few in Kashmir valley, who has made an indelible mark in Electronic Media.
Mrs. Safina Baig, Chairperson of State Women’s Commission, spoke about Kashmiri women being the pillar of traditional Kashmiri society. She mentioned that though Kashmir was women centric, however when terrorism started, the region turned into a conservative and patriarchal society. The Kashmiri women were trapped due to terrorism especially the dogmatic mindset it brought with it to the valley and hence, women are the worst victims, whether as a mother, a sister, a daughter or a wife. She accentuated on the fact that women are the torch bearers of all the values that Kashmir stands for and that they play a vital role in nation building. She emphasised on education being the stepping stone for women empowerment and urged the society to cease gender bias.
Many young girls from amongst the audience also spoke about women rights, gender bias, hopes, aspirations and their experiences of Govt and Indian Army’s initiatives such as Vocational Training Centres for empowering women in remote areas. The audience were enthralled to witness a rap song by Ms. Humaira Jan, alumni of AGS Margund and a professional rapper from Ganderbal. A book, ‘Bewafa Rishtey’ by Abru Basheer was also released by Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps. Nusrat Khan from Uri read her scintillating poem – ‘Don’t Judge’.
Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps conveyed his compliments to all the participants and the gathering for celebrating International Women’s Day with vigour and gusto. He highlighted that sky is the limit for women especially when it comes to career and other professional domain. He said that the society is patriarchy driven and that, it will not give space. Women have to rise and create their own space by fighting for it. He urged the women to reclaim their voice for peace in Kashmir. The GOC urged the Kashmiri women to remove gender bias that they themselves might have faced and inspire and encourage the girls by providing equal opportunities in all their endeavours. He further exhorted the women to reclaim their boys from terror and urged the mothers, sisters and wives to lead the way in bringing peace in valley. He mentioned that amidst violence, Kashmiri women were the biggest sufferers and therefore, they needed to step out and take charge. He concluded his talk by speaking on the relentless efforts by the Indian Army in empowering the women through various projects, which have furthered women empowerment by extending various vocational trainings to women in the valley.
The event was a testimony to the Chinar Corps continuous efforts to promote Gender Equality and to pay homage to the Kashmiri women by acknowledging their contribution towards the overall development of the Kashmiri society. International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8th of March to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women around the world. It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence & abuse against women. Over the years, the role of women is well understood by one & all, initiating a rippling effect in the working ethos of all the government & private agencies.