In Kargil, women are taking to the classroom, skill centres, marathons, and even motorcycles under the leadership of the Indian Army, which works with the communities and civil administration. Although this change may not be noticeable or dramatic, it is profound, long-lasting, and hopeful. In the pursuit of empowerment, the Army is making sure that the women of Kargil march alongside it, not behind.
Aafiya Bhat
While severe forms of gender-based violence (GBV) are common across the globe, India also shares its part. Kargil, the administrative centre district of Ladakh, has experienced gender inequality, like many isolated and historically patriarchal societies in the Indian Himalayas. However, structural and systemic forms of inequality persist, implying that gender equity has not been achieved. With a strong tribal and religious heritage, Shia Muslims make up the majority of the population in Kargil. Patriarchal standards dominated women’s roles for decades, frequently confining them to the home. Despite women’s crucial contributions to household economies and agriculture, men have historically made the majority of decisions in public, political, and religious spheres.
Historically, social norms discouraged women from participating in public life. They were often not allowed to travel alone or take part in community decision-making in Kargil. The political representation of women in local governance has been limited for the women of Kargil, although this is slowly changing with the implementation of reservation policies and social activism.For years, female literacy rates in Kargil lagged behind those of males, particularly in rural areas.Dropout rates for girls after primary school were high due to a lack of access, family responsibilities, or social resistance.While child marriage is not much prevalent, early and arranged marriages, often without the girl’s meaningful consent, have been customary.Girls typically marry soon after completing secondary school, thereby cutting short their education and career prospects.Then arises the other side of the story of women’s life, that is the issue of Domestic violence, which does occur but is underreported due to stigma, lack of institutional support, and social pressure to preserve family honour.
Unlike conflict-torn regions where sexual violence is used systematically by terrorists as a weapon of war, like in some parts of Kashmir during armed conflict, Kargil has not reported widespread or systematic GBV linked to insurgency.However, individual cases of domestic abuse, marital rape (notrecognised legally), and forced labor exist, these are seldom publicly.
However, the Indian Army has become a surprising but potent force in changing this reality in recent years. The Army has sparked change from the ground up, particularly among the women and girls in the area, by combining education, empowerment, community engagement, and skill-building programs, besides protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. Among the most remarkable and landmark initiatives are Ignited Minds by Kargil: A Light of Hope. The “Kargil Ignited Minds” program, which was started in collaboration with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL), is among the Indian Army’s most revolutionary projects. This program provides residential coaching and mentorship to 50 underprivileged girls in Kargil, preparing them for national entrance exams such as JEE and NEET.The initiative, which is housed within the Fire and Fury Corps on Army property, is about more than just academia. It gives girls who would not otherwise have much exposure outside of their villages self-assurance, self-discipline, and ambition. These girls are being trained to transcend social and academic ceilings, both literally and symbolically.
The Indian Army has established skill development centres throughout Jammu and Kashmir under the broader auspices of Operation Sadbhavana, with an increasing presence in the border villages of Ladakh. Despite their occasionally modest size, these centresoffer classes in weaving and tailoring, as well as handicraft training, and provide manufacturing facilities for sanitary pads, promoting menstrual health and hygiene. In Kargil, where women’s economic participation remains low, these initiatives are particularly crucial. The skill centresprovide women with a local, safe space to earn a living, preserve traditional arts, and achieve economic independence.
To promote pride and patriotism, the Army has also made a concerted effort to involve women in national commemorative events, promoting inclusion via National Occasions. The Army held the “Run in Remembrance” in Shyok village on the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas. As a symbol of their legitimate place in the national narrative, women and children joined soldiers in paying tribute to war heroes.
The All-Women Motorcycle Rally in honour of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas was even more impressive and encouraging. The Army flagged off a group of 25 female riders, including spouses of personnel and serving officers, in partnership with TVS Motor Company. The rally concluded at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, after travelling through dangerous areas like Khardung La and Umling La. This was more than just a memorial service; It was a loud declaration of women’s presence in the regions that had previously been seen as male-dominated.
Ladakh has produced remarkable women sportspersons who have overcome extreme high-altitude challenges. Ice hockey trailblazers like Rinchen Dolma, India’s first women’s captain, and current skipper Tsewang Chuskit, along with goalkeeper Noor Jahan, founded the Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation in 2015 to train hundreds of girls despite limited resources. Fifteen-year-old Samina Khatoon became the youngest player at the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games, scoring crucial goals for the Ladakh team. In equestrian, Jigmet Stanzin trained with the President’s Bodyguard polo camp in Delhi under an Army-backed program. Shahnaz Parveen became the first Ladakhi woman to win gold at the National University Games in Taekwondo. Their success stories reflectthe courage to break stereotypes and the institutional support that have transformed women’s sports in the region.
Women still inspire the next generation in uniform. Consider Captain Yashika Hatwal Tyagi, who served during the Kargil War while pregnant, or Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who oversaw the media briefing for Operation Sindoor. Their tales become viral on social media sites like Instagram and X, transforming them into representations of bravery, perseverance, and shattering stereotypes.The story of Captain Tyagi in particular strikes a deep chord. In addition to breaking with tradition, her choice to report for duty while pregnant became a symbol of contemporary Indian womanhood: striking a balance between service, sacrifice, and strength.
The place signifies another level of coordination and integration between Civil society and local government, which are becoming increasingly integrated into the Army’s operations.For instance, with assistance from the Indian Army, the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) under Mission Shakti has planned awareness campaigns. These initiatives emphasiseawareness of domestic violence, sensitisation to gender equity, government programs for women in entrepreneurship, handicrafts, and agriculture. The Army contributes to expanding the reach of these campaigns by providing space, security, and logistical support, particularly in isolated villages that are often overlooked by mainstream development efforts.Suchwomen-orientedinitiatives are indicative of ashift from being protectors of borders to being partners in peace, development and women’s emancipation.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist. In specific communities, entrenched patriarchy still opposes change.It is difficult to report and address abuse when there aren’t enough female police officers, doctors, or legal aid.For many women, access to facilities remains restricted due to winter isolation and rugged terrain.But in a long-overlooked area, every mother motivated by the experiences of female officers, every woman benefiting from a skill centre, and every girl taught under the ‘Ignited Minds’ initiative is a step toward gender parity, and a quiet revolution isunderway.A silent revolution is taking place in a country that is renowned for its silences—the calm of its valleys, the silence of its snowfall, the solemnity of its war memorials.
In Kargil, women are taking to the classroom, skill centres, marathons, and even motorcycles under the leadership of the Indian Army, which works with the communities and civil administration.Although this change may not be noticeable or dramatic, it is profound, long-lasting, and hopeful. In the pursuit of empowerment, the Army is making sure that the women of Kargil march alongside it, not behind.
