Women in the Times of Conflict: A Study in North East India

Abstract

India’s north eastern states are a cultural paradise, with each state boasting a plethora of cultures and thus, making north east India a hotbed of cultural diversity. The vast magnitudes of cultures however, also make north east India susceptible to cultural conflicts and ethnic warfare. Violence and hostility in the states of north east India are very well publicized, but a more subtle and crueler form of violence against women in conflict areas is less well understood. This paper deals with the status and condition of women in the conflict zones of north east. It argues that apart from the usual cruelty of patriarchy, the women in conflict zones face three more types of violence, viz. violence during conflict, violence and abuse in refugee camps, and abuse at the hands of security forces. The paper summarises and analyses all these forms of violence in north east India and also underscores the role of women both victims and resilient actors. It presents a case for more gender sensitive approach to studying conflicts and violence.