Associate Professor/Assistant Director, Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
Online published on 4 June, 2013.
Jammu and Kashmir, a mountainous northernmost border state of India is faced with an armed conflict since past 24 years. Hundreds and thousands of people have been killed in this conflict. Past 24 years brought much devastation to women's lives. Kashmiri women have witnessed killings of their husbands, brothers and fathers. There is a significant population of women who have been rendered as Widows and Half widows due to this conflict. The other sociological problems like increase in orphans, girls without grooms, dowry cases, domestic violence etc. are also on rise. Suicide rates among Kashmiri women have shown increase over the years. Women suffering from various psychological disorders also outnumber men.
The present paper explores the roles play by various civil society organizations in mitigating the sufferings fo the women who have been hit by violence in Jammu and Kashmir. The paper further seeks to address the role that can be played by CSOs/NGOs in J&K for empowerment of in situations of violence and conflict and build their capacities.
India, Kashmir, armed conflict, widows, half widows, empowerment, civil society organizations
