Islamabad: Chairperson Peace and Culture Organisation and former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, while addressing an international webinar on the occasion of International Women's Day, paid tribute to the courage, resilience and sacrifices of Kashmiri women who continue to endure immense suffering under conflict.
Speaking on the occasion, Mushaal Mullick said that International Women's Day is not only a moment to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide but also a reminder of the struggles faced by women living in conflict zones. She stated that Kashmiri women represent extraordinary courage and dignity despite decades of turmoil and uncertainty.
Mushaal highlighted that Kashmiri women have endured immense human suffering, including enforced disappearances of family members, psychological trauma, and the painful reality of thousands of women living as half widows whose husbands disappeared but were never declared dead. She also pointed to the deep scars left by incidents such as the Kunan Poshpora tragedy, where sexual violence was used as a weapon of war, leaving generations of women seeking justice.
She said that Kashmiri mothers, daughters and sisters have carried the heaviest burden of the conflict but have never surrendered hope. According to her, Kashmiri women are not merely victims of war but powerful symbols of resilience who continue to stand for dignity, justice and peace.
Mushaal called upon the international community to take concrete steps to address the humanitarian suffering of women in Kashmir. She urged global institutions to support independent investigations into human rights violations, allow international observers to access the region, and ensure accountability in cases of violence against women.
She emphasized that the families of the disappeared, particularly women known as half widows, require urgent international support and recognition. She also stressed the need for mental health and trauma support programs for women and children affected by decades of conflict.
Mushaal Mullick further urged the international community to empower women as peace builders and ensure their meaningful participation in dialogue and conflict resolution efforts. She noted that sustainable peace is only possible when women's voices are included in shaping the future.
Expressing solidarity with women in other conflict zones, she also paid tribute to the resilience of Palestinian women, stating that women across the world who face violence and displacement deserve justice and global attention.
Mushaal concluded by saying that Kashmiri women have turned their pain into courage and their silence into a powerful voice for justice. She urged the global community to move beyond sympathy and take meaningful action to protect women in conflict regions and ensure that their dignity and rights are upheld.
She reiterated that the suffering of women in conflict zones must not be ignored and called upon the world to stand with them until justice and lasting peace prevail.