Baawunn

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Half-widows is a term given to Kashmiri women whose husbands went missing in enforced disappearances in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. Since they aren’t exactly declared dead, this has grave psychosocial-economic and legal consequences for these widows, who often juggle between - taking up jobs to take care of their children; and dealing with their own tiredness, grief, mental health issues and sorrows.  “Baawunn” in Kashmiri language means to express; and this initiative is curated along these lines, for both widows and half-widows. Help Foundation has been a great logistical partner, as they have been providing support to these women for years. I have known them and their great work on the ground for many years.

Story:

Rafeeqa (name changed for anonymity) husband disappeared when she was in her 30's in the outskirts of Srinagar, Kashmir.  Her husband was a carpet-weaver. With two young children and in-laws to take care of, she kept waiting for her husband to return.......