Why women are in such condition in a militarised zone? What makes them inferior? How does it differ from women's condition of a 'peaceful', non-militarised place? This paper argues that, it is Militarism, which puts women in such... more
Why women are in such condition in a militarised zone? What makes them inferior? How does it differ from women's condition of a 'peaceful', non-militarised place? This paper argues that, it is Militarism, which puts women in such condition. The first segment of the paper explains what militarism is? Under this question it brings the theoretical debates regarding militarism and masculinity. And then, that debate has been contextualised in Kashmir. Secondly, the discussion goes from place to place; gets an account of women's condition where militarism prevails or was prevailing. It enlists the major crises that women face under militarism. Along with that, it takes some facts from Kashmir which is one of the most militarised zones of the world: Militarism is an ideology while militarisation is a process. Based on this understanding, this paper explains, in a militarised zone, how militarism penetrates the day to day life of the people. Simultaneously, the facts have been generalised in the world. The role of religion in shaping militarism has been explained from grounded examples of Kashmir. The study has also examined the most painful and enduring sufferings of women's lives under militarism which begins at war time but lasts for indefinite periods even in peace time under the heading of social cost.
