kashmir's women councillors raring to go

May 12, 2005 - (Onlypunjab.com) Of diverse backgrounds and ages but articulate, assertive, educated - they are the new women councillors of Jammu and Kashmir who defied the gun to enter public life, determined to change things for the better.

A group of 30 newly elected councillors was in the capital to attend a daylong workshop organised Tuesday by the NGO Women's Political Watch on 'J&K Women in Governance'.

The women, young and old, shared their experiences of foray into politics and the hopes and frustration of working as representatives of the people.

"We have so many expectations from the people who have elected us. We want to be able to do something for them and not disappoint them or let them down," was a common refrain among the women.

The elections had nothing to do with the Kashmir problem. People voted because they wanted to put an end to their day-to-day problems, the women said.

Elections to civic bodies took place in January 2005 after a gap of 27 years in a move by the People's Democratic Party (PDP)-Congress government to strengthen people's participation. In the polls 33 percent seats had been reserved for women.

Tired of the mindless violence and lack of development, people voted in large numbers, despite threats by militant organisations in the state against participating in the polls.

"Now that I have been elected, I want to deliver and not return empty-handed to the people. There are so many widows, orphans, unemployed youth and militancy-affected families whom we want to help," Asiea Naqash of the PDP, who won from Tailabl in Srinagar, told IANS.

"But I feel we need more powers and funds," said Aseia who is a coordinator with an NGO Umeed that works with women and children.

Razia Mir, a housewife who won from Tauheedganj in Baramulla disrict, 55 km north of Srinagar, said she had received militant threats but went campaigning in her burqa without any security.

The women said the challenges facing them were similar as the lack of development plagued all areas. The priority areas were to solve water scarcity, power shortages, bad roads, sanitation and drainage and unemployment.

Raja Begum, 56, who won on the PDP ticket from Hasnabad in Srinagar, put it aptly when she said: "Hum siyasat mein nahin, logon ki khidmat ke liye aaye hain (It is not the lure of power but the opportunity to serve our people that has brought us into politics).

Asked why she got into politics, the matronly lady, a teacher and mother of five, said: "I was already doing social work and this prompted me to get into politics."

Shehmima Khushboo, a former Doordarshan anchor in Srinagar, said she wanted to work for women and encourage them to stand up for their rights.

From: http://onlypunjab.com/fullstory2k5-insight-news-status-5-newsID-4335.html