The phenomenon of "gender discrimination" exists more or less in all societies of the world, irrespective of their differences in region, religion, economy, polity, education, culture, social structure and so on. The sociological studies carried out at the global level and in cross-cultural context have revealed that women in general were not considered equal to men at the social level and they were not allowed to become active partners in the processes of change and development. Like other societies/communities in the Indian subcontinent, the Kashmiri women faced certain set degree of gender-based discrimination in the traditional situation. However, as a result of cumulative effect of the processes of modernization, this situation has changed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. While the direction of this change stands towards their total development and emancipation, it has also given rise to some crucial problems for themselves. It was in the context of preceding social dynamics that this study was carried out in the Kashmir Valley. This book is based on (a) revised version of the report of an extensive empirical study carried out in Baramulla and Budgam districts in 1996-1997 among 600 (approximately) selected and representative respondents; and (b) proceedings of the National Seminar in Srinagar in August 1997 (organized jointly by UNICEF, New Delhi; Jammu and Kashmir Government; and Department of Sociology, University of Kashmir) which discussed the findings of the report and prepared a set of recommendations to negate and debase the practices related to gender discrimination in the valley. In brief, the book portrays the existing reality, in statistics and description, related to the phenomenon of gender discrimination in the Kashmir valley. Moreover, it suggests the action programme to reduce and finally negate these undesirable practices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bashir Ahmad Dabla
Dr. Bashir A. Dabla is an eminent sociologist of Kashmir. After doing Masters in Sociology in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, he carried out M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes of research in the same university. At present, he is Professor and Head, Department of Sociology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar. In fact, he had established this department in 1989. He has worked as Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department and Press Officer to Chief Minister, J&K Govt. and Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Dr. Dabla has published 3 books, 30 research papers and about 50 newspaper-magazine articles on his areas of research. The topics of his books are "Polity, Society and Change", "Working Women in Kashmir" and "Islam and Muslims". He has carried out successrully several research projects sponsored by international and national agencies/organizations, especially UNICEF, Save the Children Fund (UK) and Ministry of Planning, Government of India, New Delhi. In the past three years, he has completed successfully SCF's research project on 'Impact of Conflict Situation on Women and Children in Kashmir' and MOP's project on 'Multi-Dimensional Problems of Women in the Kashmir Valley'. Moreover, he has organized several national and regional seminars, conferences and workshops on various sociological themes. Dr. Dabla's areas of specialization are (a) Social Change and Development, (b) Women Children and Society, (c) Sociology of Minorities/Islam/Muslims and (d) The Kashmir Sociology.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Khurshid-Ul-Islam
Dr. S. Khurshidul Islam is associated with the Department of Sociology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar from its inception. He did the post-graduation and research programmes of M.Phil. and Ph.D. in this department. His doctoral research was on the topic “The Kashmri Identityâ€. His other areas of research are gender studies and media impact. While he has published two books, his book on The Kashmiri Marriage is coming shortly. He has been contributing to several magazines regularly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sandeep K. Nayak
Sandeep K. Nayak, development commissioner, district Srinagar, Jammu Kashmir Government, Srinagar.
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