Case Study: Ayesha, in her mid-20s, was pursuing higher education when she was constantly reminded by her family of ‘the importance’ of marriage and motherhood. Soon after her wedding, pressure mounted on Ayesha to conceive, despite her explicit wish to delay pregnancy until after her exams. On her in-laws’ insistence, Ayesha found herself pregnant within months of marriage, leaving her ‘shattered and overwhelmed’. The stress of impending motherhood compounded the academic pressures, adversely affecting her mental health. She experienced anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness as she grappled with the loss of control over her body and her future. The burden of societal expectations exacerbated her sense of isolation and despair. Despite seeking support from her maternal family, their adherence to traditional values only worsened her distress, leaving her feeling ‘trapped and powerless’.

Case Study: Sara’s parents forced her to have an abortion against her will, wishing to facilitate her divorce and relieve themselves of the perceived burden of a child. Sara, in her 30s, grappled with ‘severe emotional distress and experienced feelings of betrayal, powerlessness, and profound grief’ post her abortion. 

The study revealed a lack of awareness among women regarding their reproductive rights and a deep-seated cultural stigma around openly discussing reproductive health. Many respondents conveyed having no choice over their reproductive well-being and feeling disempowered.

Abrar Ahmad Guroo, a psychiatrist in the Kashmir valley, spoke to us of the undesirable outcomes of reproductive processes, especially when the women have no autonomy, such as the experience of lingering guilt, negative image of self and society, and negative emotions regarding reproduction itself. These usually manifest as severe depression as well as adjustment issues. It would also make it difficult for these women to provide a safe, healthy, and loving environment for their children. 

Further, Guroor said, women living in conflict zones face other significant challenges – like exposure to violence, insecurity, displacement, loss of loved ones, limited access to basic services and resources, and a constant state of fear and uncertainty – which contribute to a high prevalence of stress. They not only experience direct trauma but also witness and hear about the traumatic experiences of others in their communities. These factors put the women in a chronic state of stress and fear, which can have severe implications for their mental health. It can lead to the development of various mental disorders (as clinically defined), including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorders. It can also have physical manifestations such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal problems and can disturb women’s reproductive health, by leading to irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances, and increased risk of infertility. Stress can also result in decreased sexual desire and satisfaction. 

The stories of coercion, lack of choice, and the impacts on mental health the women we interviewed experienced underscore the urgent need for holistic interventions.

Addressing reproductive justice goes beyond policy changes; it necessitates fostering a culture of respect for women’s autonomy over their bodies and choices, which has long been contentious and often overlooked in Kashmir.

Deeply rooted in cultural norms, religious traditions, and the lingering effects of a prolonged conflict, the lack of choice Kashmiri women face in matters of reproduction is a multifaceted problem that demands urgent attention.