Shaping the Future

The legacy of Kashmiri women is deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and literary history. Legendary figures such as Lal Ded, the 14th-century mystic poet, and Habba Khatoon, the 16th-century queen and poetess, continue to shape Kashmiri women’s identity. These icons symbolize wisdom, intellect, artistic expression, and strength.

Yet, ironically, their legacies have traditionally been interpreted to reinforce the notion that a woman’s true worth lies not in education or work but in her ability to manage and care for the household. This cultural perception has long influenced the roles and expectations of women in Kashmiri society, limiting their participation in public life and economic opportunities. These norms are further entrenched by social structures and local customs, which continue to dictate the scope of women’s aspirations and achievements.



In most Kashmiri families, a girl’s culinary skills, embroidery, and household management abilities are often valued more than her academic achievements. This cycle of traditional gender roles is so deeply embedded that it has become self-sustaining. It no longer requires male dominance to reinforce these roles as senior female relatives—mothers, grandmothers, and other influential women in the household—perpetuate these traditions, thus constraining their daughters to fit into restrictive societal moulds.

After talking to 30 women in my surroundings, a striking pattern emerged: many felt trapped in traditional roles not by men, but by the senior females of their families who shape patriarchal norms, enforce restrictive traditions, justify domestic violence and suppress free will, believing it was their duty to uphold family honour and societal expectations. This internalization of gender norms limits women’s potential and individual freedom, making them unwitting enforcers of their subordination.One reason behind this self-perpetuating cycle is the historical underrepresentation of women and the lack of narratives centered on the subjective experiences of Kashmiri women.

For centuries, their stories have remained untold, further entrenching patriarchal values. The absence of female representation in literature, politics, and community leadership has also contributed to their marginalization, creating a void in role models for younger generations.The turmoil that erupted in Kashmir in the late 1980s added another layer of complexity to these gender dynamics.

A strategic denial of education to women was enforced by some forces, systematically preventing them from achieving intellectual and economic independence. There are harrowing accounts of intimidating families into bringing back daughters who had ventured outside the valley for higher education. Through threats and coercion, a generation of Kashmiri women was forced to abandon their academic aspirations, stunting their intellectual and vocational growth.

This enforced educational vacuum served dual purposes. First, it ensured a lack of educated, empowered citizens capable of challenging the status quo. Second, it facilitated the strategic placement of women from certain sects into influential administrative and political roles, often through manipulated appointments and forged qualifications.

This power dynamic not only skewed the socio-political fabric but also deepened sectarian divides, hindering holistic societal progress and reinforcing gender-based inequalities.Impact of Women Welfare Schemes Despite historical challenges, the narrative of Kashmiri women is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Before the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the region was marked by discriminatory practices and inconsistencies in the implementation of national laws and schemes.

While national laws protect women’s property rights across India, under Jammu and Kashmir’s state laws, women who married non-residents were deprived of these rights. However, with the revocation of Article 370 and 35A in 2019, the government reversed decades of gender disparity, translating policy promises into actionable change. Women married to non-Kashmiris can now avail themselves of government jobs, scholarships, and welfare schemes.

They no longer face residency restrictions and enjoy equal legal status, similar to women in other parts of the country. They can also buy real estate and transfer property to their children, ensuring economic security and independence.Transformative Initiatives for Gender EquityVarious initiatives have been launched to address socio-economic and cultural barriers, promoting gender equity through targeted interventions.

One of the landmark initiatives, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, was introduced in 2015 to improve female education and the child sex ratio by promoting awareness, education, and financial support. This increased female literacy to 68% by 2021, while the sex ratio in Jammu & Kashmir improved from 917 in 2015 to 976 in 2020. This initiative led to a shift in societal attitudes, encouraging a greater valuation of daughters.

The impact was evident in the 2024 Assembly and Parliamentary elections, where women participated in large numbers as voters and candidates, actively engaging in campaigning and contesting elections.The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020, to combat substance abuse, expanded to 20 districts of the Union Territory by 2023. Community outreach programs, counselling, treatment facilities, and awareness campaigns encouraged women’s participation in curbing drug abuse.

Over 98 lakh individuals have been reached, including more than 8 lakh youth and over 9 lakh women. Over 16,000 participants have been recorded from educational institutions. As a result, domestic violence cases decreased, and women are taking up leadership roles in community-driven awareness programs.

Mothers’ committees were formed to prevent youth addiction, reinforcing the role of women as active participants in social change, economic growth, and national well-being.Approximately 80,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been established, empowering over 7,00,000 women and increasing their income levels by 40% since 2019 under JKRLM. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has facilitated loans for women entrepreneurs, promoting self-employment and empowering millions of women by enabling them to start and scale their businesses.

Under this scheme, Jammu and Kashmir received ₹21,636.33 crore sanctioned and ₹21,036.17 crore disbursed from 2021 to 2024.

The Lakhpati Didi Scheme, a part of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) announced on August 15, 2023, that aim at empowering rural women by helping them achieve an annual income of at least ₹1lakh through self-employment and entrepreneurship has played a significant role in empowering rural women by fostering sustainable development and encouraging collaborations with banks, markets and cooperatives.The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), launched on June 25, 2015, for urban areas and November 20, 2016, for rural areas, aims to provide affordable housing for all by 2022. Over the past five years, 26,748 houses have been sanctioned, and 23,497 houses have been completed and handed over to beneficiaries in Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) component, financial assistance of up to ₹2.5 lakh is provided for house construction.To address gender-based violence and distress, the government has established One Stop Centres, Mahila Shakti Kendras (now District Hub for Empowerment of Women), and women’s help desks across the region.

Jammu and Kashmir has 20 operational OSC’s collectively assisted 9,000 women offering integrated services including legal, medical, and psychological support, ensuring safety and justice for women in distress.These flagship schemes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, such as Mission Shakti, have linked women entrepreneurs with markets and consolidated empowerment schemes under a unified framework. These initiatives go beyond mere promises by directly impacting the socio-economic landscape of Kashmir, fostering a new generation of educated and economically independent women.

This holistic approach has not only uplifted individuals but also catalyzed community-wide transformation, creating a ripple effect of development and social change. By fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing skill development, and ensuring access to education, these policies are laying the foundation for sustainable empowerment.A shining example is Arifa Jan, a Kashmiri entrepreneur working to revive the traditional Namda craft.

Through her efforts, she has empowered numerous artisans and promoted Kashmiri handicrafts on a global scale. On Women’s Day 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over his social media accounts to seven inspirational women, one of whom was Arifa Jan.It can be concluded that the journey from oppression to empowerment, from silence to leadership, illustrates the resilience and potential of Kashmiri women.

This transformation not only highlights individual success stories but also underscores the importance of collective action and community solidarity in achieving gender equality. Their progress is gradually redefining societal norms and challenging traditional gender roles. However, the path to complete gender equity remains long.

Continued efforts to enhance educational opportunities, economic independence, and legal rights are essential for building an inclusive and progressive society.The narrative of Kashmiri women is no longer just about survival; it is about thriving, leading, and shaping the future of the region with agency and resilience. As they break barriers and shatter stereotypes, Kashmiri women are not only reclaiming their historical legacy but also scripting new stories of empowerment and leadership, realising the dream of “Sashakt Nari-Viksit Bharat”.

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