Mahbooba Hassan
“Economic independence empowers women to improve their families’ well-being, educate their children, make independent decisions and contribute meaningfully to community development. Financial inclusion and entrepreneurship are key pillars of empowerment.”
The development process of our country, India, to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047 depends on every Indian citizen. Women in India constitute almost half of the population; therefore, without their contributions, the country’s development will not be possible. Currently, women are moving beyond household duties and playing a very significant role in shaping the future of their country. This can be seen by the way women are excelling in almost every field, including education, entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, healthcare, media, science, sports, arts and many others.
Kashmiri women are making efforts to keep their cultural heritage alive and at the same time adapting themselves to modern times. It is through determination, education and hard work that Kashmiri women are demonstrating that talent knows no limits.
The contribution of women to society is not something that is modern; history offers plenty of examples of inspiring women who have done remarkable things in fields of literature, spirituality, and culture. The example of Habba Khatoon, also known as “the Nightingale of Kashmir,” can be used to demonstrate how her literary works continue to serve as an inspiration for new generations of people by expressing the beauty, emotions, and cultural traditions of Kashmir. Lal Ded, known as Lalleshwari, continues to inspire many people with her spiritual philosophy.
من آئے تم گژھن نم گژھ
پنن گژھے دٔین کیہو راثہ
یورے آتم تورے گژھن نم گژھ
کینم نت کینم نت کینم نت کیاہ
Translation
Forever we come, forever we go;
Day and night, we remain on the move.
From where we come, there we return.
Life moves in the endless cycle of birth and death,
From nothingness to nothingness.
Yet there is a mystery hidden within existence,
Something that every human being should strive to understand.
Rupa Bhawani deserves to be mentioned because she has a spiritual heritage and her teaching is based on compassion and self-realisation.
The women of today’s Kashmir are following in this tradition through their successes in various fields. Women like Sakeena Itoo have shouldered important leadership roles in society and have been working for development. Another milestone was achieved when Nilofer Khan became the first female Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, inspiring more women to pursue education and academic leadership roles. Arifa Jan brought the Kashmiri Namda art form back to life and turned it into an industry that not only provided employment but also helped in preserving an important aspect of Kashmir’s cultural heritage.
Education continues to be the greatest asset for the empowerment of women.
Nazia Bhat, an eminent teacher and educationist from Chandilora, Tangmarg (Baramulla, J&K), won the coveted award known as Dr Sarojini Naidu International Award for Working Women. The said award was presented to her in appreciation of her distinguished service to society and commendable work done by her in the field of education in J&K (UT). Each educated lady is a source of inspiration for her family members and society at large. With education, girls become confident, skilled and competent enough to contribute to various fields. Moreover, they serve as an inspiration to coming generations of the importance of education, equality and responsibility.
Another sphere where Kashmiri women are making an impact is that of entrepreneurship. Samira Jan (Awantipora) and Yasmina Jan (Kulgam) are breaking barriers, while programs like the JKEDI have come up to aid and develop the capacity of women-run MSMEs through grants. Many women are running businesses in handicrafts, fashion, food processing, agriculture, tourism, and other such ventures. They are creating employment opportunities, developing the local economy, and marketing products which carry with them the distinct identity of Kashmir. The use of both their traditional talents and modern business acumen by these women entrepreneurs can help boost their influence.
In the digital age, women are getting new avenues to share their wisdom, talent, business ideas, and creativity with the world at large. Through various digital means, many Kashmiri women are becoming educators, artists, entrepreneurs, writers, and content creators. They are bringing forward local culture, spreading awareness regarding certain social issues, motivating young people, and reaching out to Indians from all across the country. Participation of women in the digital world is making them contributors to the knowledge economy of the country.
There is also a rising trend of women participating in other areas, including healthcare, education, administration, law, media, sports, and scientific research. This adds quality to decision-making, promotes innovations, and ensures that development is inclusive. As women take up leadership roles, they contribute to the development of stronger institutions and well-balanced policies.
Economic independence is equally essential for the empowerment of women. If women earn money, they can contribute towards improving the welfare of their family members and educate their children while making independent decisions. Economic activity helps to gain self-confidence as well as develop communities. Skill development, entrepreneurship, self-employment, and financial inclusion through government schemes offer excellent prospects for women to participate actively in the process of India’s development.
In addition to this, society must continue to develop a setting wherein women can feel safe and respected and can go ahead to fulfil their dreams. It is the responsibility of families, education systems, community organizations, and policymakers to ensure that women can grow up with all these facilities. Access to education, jobs, technology, health care, and leadership would help Kashmiri women to unleash their potential.
The success story of India would not be complete without the contribution of its women. Similarly, the future of Kashmir will only be bright when women continue to add their wisdom and creativity to it. The history of Kashmir bears witness to the capability of Kashmiri women through Habba Khatoon, Lal Ded, Queen Dida, Kota Rani, Rupa Bhawani, Sakeena Itoo, Nilofer Khan, Arifa Jan, etc.
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