SRINAGAR: Calling for an end to social biases against women, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said women are pivotal to revival of a value based society which has been scarred by violence and human rights violations.
PDP alleged that ruling National Conference (NC) was original renegade party in the state.
Addressing a convention of women in Sumbal , Sonawari, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed the hope that women with their compassion and dedication would also participate actively in changing the political system that has degenerated into a tool of exploitation.
She said, “while our social and religious traditions have always advocated balance in the roles of men and women, but practices like female foeticide and dowry are a blot on our society and these must be eradicated.”
The convention which marked the beginning of a series of such conferences exclusively to highlight the problems faced by women invoked impressive response and several thousand women flocked the venue and participated in the deliberations with enthusiasm.
The agenda for the conference was set by a college going girl, Shazia Aslam, who highlighted the problems faced by Sonawari constituency especially by the women; and the proceedings were conducted by another young women, Masarat Jan.
Mehbooba shared in detail her own experiences with the audiences and told them as to how she was inspired to take to politics after witnessing atrocities being heaped on the people of the state. She said 14 years back, when she jumped into politics the only concern in Kashmir was safety of life, property and dignity.
Women, she said, were the worst sufferers as in thousands of cases they lost their male relatives and bread earners, leaving them destitute along with their families and children.
In many cases, they (women) had to suffer indignities themselves at the hands of those who wielded guns in one name or the other, wearing uniform.
She said Kashmir can never forget the valour, courage and compassion of its women who sustained society almost exclusively, while men were exposed to tremendous atrocities. Urging the women to play their role in shaping the political future of the state with same courage and vigour, Ms Mehbooba said any change will be incomplete without the active participation of women in it.
