MIRPUR (AJK): Dec 30 (APP):Speakers at capacity building workshop exclusively for women mediators emphasized on equal access of both men and women to education, healthcare, and technology to ensure their vibrant and result oriented constructive role in all sections of the society.
The day-long workshop was hosted by the world fame Kashmiri think tank, Center for Peace, Development, and Reforms (CPDR) here Friday encourage the women participation in all spheres of life with due powers.
The participants comprising about 20 women activists from the Muzaffarabad region discussed the role of women in the socio-economic sphere of life in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and to formulate strategies to improve their representation in decision-making.
There was broad agreement on this occasion that empowering women and promoting gender equality can fundamentally liberate human potential.
Seasoned academician of Pakistan Prof. Dr. Shaheen Akhtar said that women’s participation was crucial to maintaining peace in longstanding and durable practices.
The involvement of civil society groups and incorporation of women’s organizations in social systems minimizes their failure chances by 64 percent, endorsing that negotiation and mediation are the fundamental methods of conflict resolution”, she added.
She criticized the existing power structure and exclaimed that it required modification and an improved discourse on gender.
“The literacy rate of women in AJK is 67 percent, indicating the high level of girls’ enrollment in schools as compared to other regions where noticeable gender disparity exists,” she articulated.
However, women still have limited access to information, training and decision-making powers. Hence, their creativity, insight, and entrepreneurial inspirations remain challenged.
Irtaza Muhammad, the Programme Manager for CPDR, stated that as part of CPDR’s commitment to gender inclusion; they are committed to developing the capabilities of Kashmiri women and enabling them to take on a larger role. The CPDR’s goals include gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The second session of the workshop titled, “Journey to Self-Discovery”, was conducted by Manal Sohail, an Anthropologist and Communication Specialist. She encouraged the participants to share their insights.
She elaborated on the concept of self-awareness for living an emotionally, spiritually and physically nourished life.
Her session included multiple activities to facilitate women’s notion of human inventiveness, better decision-making, teamwork, and collaboration.
A few participants from CISS Institute shared that distorted and divided family structures exist in AJK due to the conflict and mass migration to the Middle East and Europe. The awareness regarding the exploited groups requires attention at the state level.
Several women from various towns of Muzaffarabad and around raised their voices against the victims of these clashes, facing the lack of resources; unlawful prejudice and bias; limited women political participation; lack of employment opportunities, healthcare, conveyance, and other facilities.
According to a resident of the Neelum Valley, since the 1989 uprising in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir, women who live near the Line of Control have faced several difficulties and endured immense agony. Many ladies lost their husbands and had to move from their native land.
Some people also lost their sons in the ongoing strife. An orphaned generation is being raised by them.
They must receive immediate physical and mental rehabilitation.
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