Maria Tarana urges UN action on women's sufferings in IIOJ&K

Geneva: Maria Iqbal Tarana, a prominent rights activist and leader of the PPP's Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter, has shed light on the harsh conditions endured by women in Indian-Illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland, Tarana stressed the urgent need for human rights organizations to access Indian-occupied Kashmir and called for immediate and comprehensive visits to both sides of the region.

“Women are often left out of political discussions, actions, and networks in conflict zones. It's crucial to use a gender-focused lens to understand their unique challenges and impacts,” she stated.

Tarana highlighted the severe economic, physical, and psychological burdens on women and children in war zones, advocating for a reevaluation of conflict approaches to better achieve justice for these vulnerable groups.

The session, organized by the International Muslim Women Union, a consultative group with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at the UN, featured distinguished academics, lawyers, parliamentarians, and human rights activists from across the globe, including participants from India, Afghanistan, Libya, Australia, Denmark, and Austria. Many women from various countries also attended.

Former MEP Julie Ward suggested solutions for the Kashmir issue and regional conflicts, underscoring the media's crucial role. British lawyer Margot Owen called for legal action against India’s treatment of women, particularly focusing on the plight of "half widows" and "half wives."

Caroline H. Moos advocated for a comprehensive program for women in Kashmir and other conflict-affected areas. Ahmed bin Qasim, son of Aasiya Andrabi, described the dire conditions of women political leaders in Tihar Jail, including water scarcity and extreme heat.

Afghanistan’s Raheela Kaveer noted that women in all conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Palestine, suffer from oppression.

Shameema Shall, permanent representative of the International Muslim Women’s Union and host of the seminar, emphasized the need to unify women's voices against oppression. She urged influential women to support those affected by war, highlighting the devastating impact on societies, especially women and children. Shall condemned India’s use of women as tools of war to silence Kashmiris, echoing sentiments from Indian author Arundhati Roy.

Wartime sexual violence, often strategically employed for political and military gains, is particularly challenging to address without robust justice systems and criminal infrastructure. In conflict zones, women face displacement, defraudment, widowhood, and life as refugees, underscoring the urgent need for focused attention and intervention.