Athwaas and Yakjah, Kashmir

Collective action for peace

Kashmir, as disputed territory between India and Pakistan, is one of the most militarised places in the world. Decades of violence and brutality have divided Hindu and Muslim communities, forcing over 400,000 people to flee their homes. Today soldiers armed with AK-47 rifles stand on every street corner. 2010 saw renewed violence as riots ripped through the streets of Kashmir. It was young people who were caught in the centre of it, and who made up the majority of the 100+ people who lost their lives. Ashima Kaul wants to stop violence and death in Kashmir by mobilising those who are most vulnerable – young people and women.

You can be a Muslim or a Hindu in Kashmir, but it’s so hard to be a Kashmiri – Ashima Kaul

In 2001 Ashima began working with Athwaas – an organisation dedicated to getting voices from the grassroots heard by those in power. They have set up safe places for women to come each day – they are considered ‘islands of peace’ from the tension and insecurity women face in everyday life. Athwaas is the bridge to link these women’s needs and hopes to those with influence.

Ashima has also began working with young people – to change their attitudes towards violence and to stop them from fighting each other.

For more information, insight and analysis on the conflict in Kashmir, visit Insight on Conflict.