Suchetgarh Women: The Strength and Excluded Section of the International Border

Abstract

Jammu and Kashmir, a region straddling India and Pakistan, illustrates the intersection of two major South Asian states along the International Border (IB), where protracted violence profoundly impacts local communities. This study explores the lived experiences of borderland women in Suchetgarh village, Jammu, focusing on the impacts of ceasefire violations and hostile interactions between Indo–Pakistani forces. Utilizing a feminist methodology, the research highlights the profound effects of conflict on women's physical and psychological well-being. It underscores the dual victimization faced by these women: one stemming from entrenched patriarchal structures and the other from militarism and everyday violence. Despite enduring these adversities, borderland women contribute significantly to local economies, education, and social cohesion, embodying resilience and social unity. However, they remain marginalized in socio-political and security spheres due to prevailing patriarchal norms. The study advocates for increased female representation in security forces and policy-making to mitigate the adverse effects of militarized borders. It also emphasizes the potential for feminist perspectives to inform border security studies and improve women's roles in these regions. By focusing on borderland women's perspectives and their call for peace and dialogue, the study challenges traditional realist frameworks and offers insights into the human dimensions of Indo–Pakistan border conflicts. The research calls for enhanced understanding, empathy, and the incorporation of gendered voices to transform longstanding violent relations into peaceful conditions. 

Keywords: Borders, borderland women, Jammu and Kashmir, ceasefire violations, security