Intra-Kashmir Women Dialogue begins tomorrow

The peace process between India and Pakistan has taken a forward stride, as both governments have accorded approval to Azad Jammu & Kashmir Women for Peace Organisation (AJKWPO) in organising a three-day ‘Intra-Kashmir, Cross-LoC Women Dialogue’ at Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir is scheduled to be held from November 5 to 7, says a press release.

Talking to the media AJKWPO Chief Executive Office Mrs. Nayyar Malik informed that during participation in previously held two intra-Kashmir Women Conferences at Srinagar and Gulmarg in 2007 and 2012, “We were extremely distressed through the narrations of victimised womenfolk, the atrocities womenfolk had suffered, during indigenous Kashmiri up-risings. The Kashmiri women have been subjected to gender based violence and suffer deep psychosocial trauma.”

AJKWPO will organise this dialogue having participation of about 50 Kashmiri women of substance, including nineteen from the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK), remaining from across AJ&K and GB.

Besides, participation in the dialogue, the women delegates from IHK, comprising of academia, media, and human rights activists will also visit the Department of Kashmir Studies, University of AJK in which the interaction will be extended to academia, media, activists and others, aiming at sharing the thoughts and ideas generated at the two-day dialogue sessions.

Mrs Nayyar Malik said: “Conducive environment shall have to be created in which inhabitants across the LoC can work together to develop a framework and action plan that supports and protects women against gender based violence of all forms, ensures women and girls increased access to education and health, and leads to greater participation of women in government and state institutions.”

 Source: The News