Ahmed Ali Fayyaz/Srinagar

Even after Mehbooba Mufti broke the proverbial glass ceiling to become the first woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in 2016, it was more than two years later that a local woman became the judge of the then State High Court. Within a few months of the Peoples' Democratic Party and the BJP ending their alliance in early 2018, advocate Sindhu Sharma was appointed the first woman judge of the J&K High Court.

It took another one and a half years for the J&K High Court comprising 16 judges to get its second woman judge in Moksha Kazmi.

Looking at the power positions in the UT, it seems there is a woman preference in Delhi when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir, a region where at a social level, women were not discriminated against as much as in some other parts of the country but they were denied equality under the provisions of the bygone Article 370.

Let's know about some of the women holding top positions in the system in J&K:

In December 2018, dentist-turned-politician Dr Hina Shafi Bhat was appointed as Vice Chairperson of J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB). She had served a term as a member of the Central Government’s Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and gained enough experience to make a difference.

Dr Darakshan Andrabi receiving an award from LG Manoj Sinha

After holding a senior position in the Central Waqf Council of the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, was appointed as Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board in March 2022.

Abdrabi, who is making sweeping changes in the way Waqf property was being under and misused and is streamlining the system, is a writer and an acclaimed poet.

Both Dr Hina and Dr Darakhshan joined the BJP in 2014. In the last 9 years, they stole a march over a multitude of senior politicians and male contenders for power and governance. Now, both women are holding the status of a ‘Minister of State’ in Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration. 

Their status is matched by only two more authorities - the mayors of Srinagar and Jammu, who happen to be men.

Politically, these two women are the BJP’s Muslim face in the Kashmir valley. The only other presentable Muslim faces of the BJP in J&K are Jammu’s Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Ali Khatana and former Minister Abdul Gani Kohli. 

However, in comparison with the two Kashmiri women, both men maintain a low profile.

Dr Hina Bhat receiving an award

The 33 percent reservation for women in the Block Development Councils (BDCs) and the District Development Councils (DDCs) has also thrown up natural women leaders.

In the first elections for the BDCs and the DDCs, women won the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson in several districts. They include Chairperson DDC Baramulla, Safina Baig, who has also been elected as Chairperson J&K Haj Committee on 25 August 2022.

Nuzhar Ishfaq, the scion of a political family of Kashmir, is the Chairperson of DDC Ganderbal while a greenhorn in politics, Bilquess Akhtar of J&K Apni Party, is the Chairperson of DDC Shopian.

In Jammu, young National Conference activist Dr Shamshad Shan is the Chairperson of DDC Ramban, Tazeem Akhar is the Chairperson of DDC Poonch and Pooja Thkar is the Chairperson of DDC Kishtwar.

Among the key administrative positions, Nuzhat Jehangir Gull, who was appointed as Secretary Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council on 1 February 2021, has emerged as a face of the LG’s administration in the last two years. 

She has trained and engaged a large number of women sportspersons and students in different disciplines, conducted hundreds of major sports events, and created a huge infrastructure including several open air and indoor stadiums.

Nilefor Khan became the first woman vice-chancellor of the University of Kashmir. She was appointed a year ago. Earlier Dr Samia Bhat served a term as principal of Government Medical College Srinagar.

Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Nilofer Khan and J&K Sports Council secretary Nuzhat Gull

Women bureaucrats like Dr Syed Sehrish, Ayushi Sudan, Saloni Rai, and Babila Rakwal holding positions of Deputy Commissioners of various districts are looked up to for inspiration and leadership. Dr Sehrish is a medico-turned IAS officer who was recently conferred with the best district leader award by the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, LG Manoj Sinha dedicated the 31st edition of his radio programme Awam Ki Awaaz to the women change-makers of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. “Goddess Durga is a symbol of women's empowerment. May the festival of Navratri inspire us to work for the well-being and progress of Nari Shakti, and build a gender-equal society”, Sinha said.

He mentioned the name of Rabiya Rasool, an entrepreneur from Srinagar and owner of the ‘Carpets’ enterprise is a symbol of conviction, commitment, dedication, and indomitable courage. She is also reviving the traditional Ardabil style of carpets which will inspire and motivate other young entrepreneurs.

Sinha appreciated Sanchaita Pradhan Khajuria and Mansi Gupta for their endeavours to strengthen the unique cultural and artistic heritage of J&K. Sanchaita is promoting Basohli and Bina art through her company ‘Shilpkari Bazar Business’. She is an immense source of inspiration and motivation to all women, Sinha said.

“Mansi Gupta is an agent of change and inspiring other women to become architects of their destiny. Her company, MG Design Studio is making dedicated efforts to revive the Calico painting art of Samba. HAUSLA programme is one of the key initiatives of the UT Administration which is helping women entrepreneurs to rise and excel. It helped many women like Zariefa Hamid, Shivani Sharma, and Sanyokta Bhagat to learn the value of the e-commerce market and build upon their business ideas” the LG asserted.

Sinha made a special mention of the Khushi cluster federation from block Ghordi, Udhampur which is planning to go global with the launch of pine handicrafts on e-commerce platforms. He said this will ensure better remunerative marketing linkages for the products of the highly talented artisans, craftsmen, and small enterprises of Udhampur.

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Sinha appreciated Zeenat Mushtaq for her pivotal contribution to J&K’s business ecosystem. Zeenat now aims to participate in national and international expos so that the marketing experience and business values she has gained can be imparted to the next generation.