By Naila Altaf Kayani
Geneva (Parliament Times) : A seminar, held on the sidelines of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday, concluded with a call to prioritize women’s human rights and gender equality in global agendas, urging world human rights organizations to focus on the specific challenges faced by women and children in conflict-affected regions, like Kashmir and Palestine.
Hosted by the International Muslim Women Union (IMW), the seminar brought together experts, activists, and scholars who voiced deep concerns over the widespread violations of basic human rights faced by women and children. Noted figures like Mary Scully; a US based Social Activist and Writer, Dr. Shazia Anwar Cheema; Author, Columnist and Foreign Affairs Expert, and Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja; Chairperson Centre for International Strategic Studies AJK, highlighted the entrenched gender inequality and lack of empowerment prevailing in many developing nations.
The discussion underscored the devastating impact of prolonged unrest on the lives of women and children in conflict zones, citing Kashmir and Palestine as poignant examples.
Instances of violence, displacement, and trauma have left indelible scars on these communities, with women and children bearing the brunt of systemic abuse and discrimination, they observed.
Referring to international covenants such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), speaker stressed the need for their effective implementation in safeguarding the rights of women and children.
They decried the blatant violations of these agreements by states like India and Israel and called for accountability and protection measures.
Highlighting gender equality as a cornerstone of international law and human rights, the speakers called for concerted actions to address the plight of women and children in conflict zones. They condemned the weaponization of sexual violence and called for greater attention from both local and international observers to combat this egregious reality.
In the context of Kashmir, speakers lamented the harrowing experiences of women, citing instances of mass rape and systemic abuse perpetrated by the Indian forces.
The toll of the conflict on children, including orphanhood and trauma, was also highlighted, underlining the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and support, they said.
They reiterated that women and children deserved equal access to all human rights, including freedom from violence, access to justice, and socio-economic empowerment.
