Perspectives on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Women in Azad Jammu and Kashmir: A Legal Analysis

Sardar M. A. W. K. Arif; Tayyaba Bashir; Khushboo Fatima

doi:10.47264/idea.lassij/3.2.9

Authors

Sardar M. A. W. K. Arif Department of Law, University of Kotli, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan | RIJKS, Universiteit Groningen, Netherlands.
Tayyaba Bashir Deparmtent of English, University of Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.
Khushboo Fatima Department of Politics & International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/3.2.9

Keywords:

Women’s ESC rights, Women in AJK, Human Rights Issues, Women’s Rights, Economic Rights, Social Rights, Cultural Rights, Discrimination

Abstract

This article focuses on women’s economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The Key human right issues concerning three ESC rights, namely education, employment and health, are targeted and discussed here. The article argues that towards fulfilment of its state-like national and international human rights obligations, AJK may progressively realize for its women population, its ESC rights through legal and policy measures. At the outset, the article discusses key human rights of women in the AJK, reflecting on both law and policy issues. While discussing the three rights mentioned above, the main focus remains on equality and non-discrimination. An analytical method is adopted to analyse relevant laws and policies. The article will, however, note deficiencies, if any, in the relevant laws and policies pertaining to the three targeted rights.

References

AJKRSP Monthly Progress Report. (2014).

Amnesty International. (1999). Pakistan: Honour killing of Girls and Women.

Bunch, C. (1995). Transforming Human Rights from Feminist Perspective. Rutledge.

Burki, E. (2006). The Pakistan Earthquake and the Health needs of Women. Humanitarian Exchange Magazine. Marie Stopes Society, Issue 34.

Cosgrave, J. & Herson, M. (2004). Perceptions of Crisis and Response: A Synthesis of evaluations of the response to the 2005 Pakistan Earthquake, Chapter 4, ALNAP (R Houghton, T Beck, J Borton, J Lakeman and P Wiles) (2004) ALNAP Review of Humanitarian Action in 2003: Field Level Learning. London: Active Learning Network on Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action.

Farha, L. (2000). Women’s rights to land, property and housing: FMR 7, Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress Land and Property Rights of Women in Situations of Reconstruction: The Central American Experience.

Friedman, E. (1995). Women’s Human Rights: the Emergence of a Movement. Rutledge.

Habib, A. H. (2012). The Express Tribune, October 8.

Humanitarian Exchange. (2006). Managed by Humanitarian policy group and published by Humanitarian Practice network at ODI.

Human rights Watch. (1993). Persecuted Minorities and Writers in Pakistan Asia Watch. Vol.5 Number 13, 19 September.

Khan, I. & Sohail, A. M. (2011). Anemia in Pregnancy related Risk factor in Under-developed Area. Professional Medical Journal 18.

Khan, I. et al. (2012). Prevalence of the iron deficiency in adult population: A case study from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). International Journal of Physical Sciences.

Khan, R. (2009). Situational Analysis and Mapping of Women’s Human Rights in Pakistan. CIDA Pakistan Program.

Khan, Z. (2013). Human Rights: Theory and Practice, Pakistan Law House.

McGinn, C., Anis, R., Bari, A., Kasi, M., Ambreen, J. (2006). As If All Happiness Vanished in the Wink of an Eye: An Assessment of Relief, Transition, and Development Needs of the Earthquake- Affected Population of Allai Valley, NWFP. Washington: Save the Children USA.

McKean, W. (1983). Equality and Discrimination under International Law. Oxford: Clarendon.

Naqvi, S. M. H., Khan, M. A., & Khan, S. N. (2013). Job stress and Employees’ productivity: Case of Azad Kashmir public health Sector. Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research. Vol 5: No 3.

NRSP’s 15th Annual progress Report. (2008-2009). Including the Vulnerable. Islamabad, Pakistan.

NRSP’s 16th Annual progress Report. (2009-2010). Capacity building at the Gross roots. Islamabad, Pakistan.

PLD 1999 KAR, 402.

Project Asia Programme. (2010). Chatham House, Kashmir: Paths to Peace. A project sponsored by Saif-al Islam al-Qadhafi, directed by Robert Bradnock and Richard Schofield King’s College London &, Royal Institute of International Affairs.

Report of AJK Health Department. (2010).

Report of Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Agency (ERRA). (2008). Elimination of violence against Women and Gender programme State Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Agency and AJK Project in commemoration of 16 days activism. 25 Nov to 10 December.

Report of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. (2008)

Report of Rapporteur Baroness Nicholson. (2005). European Parliament Committee on foreign affairs, “Draft report on Kashmir: Present Situation and Future Prospects. (2005/2244(INI)).

Report of UNFP. (2010).

Report of World Health Organization and UNICEF. (1996). Geneva.

Shama, Y. & Zulfiqar. (2009). Maternal health and survival in Pakistan: Issues and options. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.

Saigol, R. (2011). Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan: A scoping study. Aurat Publication and Information Services Foundation.

Siddiqi, K. (2006). The Pakistan Earthquake: A Personal Experience. Lancet. 367(9515).

Standring, K. (1996). Pak Occupied Kashmir: A Trade Unionist Perspective. Journal of Peace Studies. Vol. 3, Issue 4.

Syed, M. A. (1995). Islam and Democracy in Pakistan. Islamabad: National Institute of Historical & Cultural Research.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act, (1974).