For many years, politics in Jammu and Kashmir were shaped by unrest, fear, and strong social traditions. In this environment, political participation was not open or inclusive. Politics largely remained confined to dynastic families, where leadership passed from one generation to another within a few influential households. Political power was inherited rather than earned, leaving little space for ordinary citizens. On the other side, even men outside these families lived under fear. Many who wished to join politics were discouraged, threatened, or pressured to stay away. In several cases, men who filed nominations were forced to withdraw due to intimidation, making politics unsafe even for them. Within this restricted space, women were almost completely absent, as politics was seen as dangerous and unsuitable for them.
Kashmiri women were involved in the family, society, education, and social services, but their participation in political bodies was minimal. Women's security and reputation were a concern for their families, and the environment was unfavourable to them. Women were less motivated to run for elections or to express their say, and capable women were told to stay out of politics. Politics was, therefore, dominated by a few families and was fearful and male-dominated.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the position of women in politics was negligible in Jammu and Kashmir. There was a lack of women in politics, and their representation was negligible. However, a few educated women from influential families were able to make their way into politics. In grassroots politics, women were nowhere to be seen. However, unlike the rest of India, Jammu and Kashmir did not apply the 73rd Constitution amendment to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions due to Article 370. The absence of reservations denied women an entry point into local governance, keeping politics inaccessible for them.
Kashmir witnessed instabilities for such a long time, and the fear that pervaded the valley affected people in many ways. Those connected to the government system are also perceived to be the target of such fear. Women, either as teachers, healthcare providers, or as elected representatives of the public, have been exposed to danger. In May 2022, Rajni Bala, a teacher, was gunned down in Kulgam by terrorists. Even though she was not an elected representative, her unfortunate death sent the message of fear about the danger of public service that the women of Kashmir were exposed to.
Over the years, many panches and sarpanches resigned after receiving threats. While both men and women were affected, women were more likely to step back due to family pressure and safety concerns. Families feared losing their daughters or wives and often asked them to withdraw from public roles. Apart from direct violence, silent intimidation played a major role, forcing people to quietly exit public life. Women, lacking strong security and social backing, were especially vulnerable. There are a few confirmed recent cases of elected women being forced to publicly apologize to militants, but the general atmosphere of intimidation has been widely acknowledged. In earlier years, harassment and threats against women left deep psychological scars. Even when women were elected, their independence was often limited, with male family members handling political responsibilities on their behalf. This practice weakened women’s authority and reduced their effectiveness as leaders.
A gradual transition began in 2003 through the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj (Second Amendment) Act, where 33 per cent reservations were provided for women in panch constituencies. Although the transition was quite sluggish, the act provided women with the legal right to take part in the governing process of the former state. This had visible results during the 2011 panchayat election, where about 10,000 women were elected as panchs in Jammu and Kashmir.
For the first time, women made their presence felt in rural governance as a collective entity. They began attending meetings, presenting their concerns, and taking part in development plans. Women representatives were involved in drinking water, roads, sanitation, education, and the welfare sector plans. The presence of these representatives made government-community interaction easier, as their concerns were also heard, including women’s concerns.
The next significant change came after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The governance structure in Jammu and Kashmir got closer to the laws enacted at the national level. Women’s reservation got a stronger grounding, and panchayats got more institutional attention. Currently, there are many women involved in facilitating citizens for government schemes, as well as focusing on health, education, and livelihoods.
There were some female leaders who were recognized for their efforts. Zaitoona is one female sarpanch who was a symbol of good leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is appreciation for her efforts on a national scale. She was active in supporting families, handing out relief to many, and creating awareness among them.
Although some progress has been made, there still exist some challenges. The women representatives lack education and experience in politics. This has made decision-making a challenge for the women. Domestic chores still limit the kind of involvement they have. The issue of security still hampers confidence. The proxy politics still exists and is common in some regions. Men still make the major decision-making.
In higher political platforms, women's representation is very minimal. In elections to the Assembly, there are fewer candidates because of fear, expenses, and insecurity. Politics is still perceived as unsafe and emotionally demanding, discouraging many capable women from contesting elections.
Women’s political participation in Jammu and Kashmir has evolved from dynasty-controlled, fear-driven exclusion to cautious inclusion through legal reforms. Earlier, politics remained inaccessible not only to women but also to ordinary men due to intimidation and violence. Women were more excluded due to issues of safety and social constraints. In the current scenario, reservations and laws have assured women’s entry into decision-making at the grassroots levels. Today, thousands of women are involved in local governance and are helping in the developmental process.
However, fear, social pressure, as well as structural constraints continue to hold back women's independence. The extent to which progress has been made so far requires commitment and determination. For women to make a success of politics, issues such as safety, education, support within the family, as well as social change, must make an impact. The increase in women’s representation within local politics holds out hope for a peaceful future for Jammu & Kashmir.

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