Children's Voices: Conflict‐Affected Orphans in Residential Care in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

This paper is based on a study of thirty‐one children who lost their parent(s) in the course of armed conflict in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, and were put in various orphanages across the state. The qualitative research method was employed in order to examine and understand and the nature of problems faced by these children. It explores ways in which these children seek to come to terms with the reality, and highlights the importance and relevance of incorporating their views in programmes meant for their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

Trauma and children: Exploring posttraumatic growth among school children impacted by armed conflict in Kashmir.

“…In the context of Kashmir, children have been found to be psychologically resilient to develop positive change despite facing adverse situations. Singh and Jha (2017) observe that the Kashmiri children are capable of developing an in-depth understanding of the sociopolitical situation they are placed in. Therefore, children from the conflict zones may cultivate a tendency for the development of positive changes out of traumatic experiences.…”

“…Other possible factors are the perceived stable living conditions and religious environment in these orphanages. Singh and Jha (2017) have reported that the orphanages of Kashmir provide a highly religious environment to the children, where faith-based explanations of the traumatic events are encouraged. Maintenance of home-like environment and cultural practices, including religious practices, as part of children’s everyday routine in these orphanages also help in strengthening children’s sense of stability, hope, and positive outlook (Bragin, 2007; Fernando & Ferrari, 2011; Heying et al, 2016; Johnson et al, 2009).…”

“…However, with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the Kashmir conflict started and remains unresolved so far (Hanif & Ullah, 2018; Zia, 2020). The Kashmir conflict is one of the known protracted conflicts of the world (Snedden, 2015) and has received wide political attention from national and international communities (Singh & Jha, 2017). Armed resistance to Indian rule in the Kashmir Valley began in 1989 (Pandit, 2019), and it is globally known that at any point of time an armed conflict can break out in this region (Scobell, 2001).…”

“…The children of Kashmir are particularly vulnerable because of this turmoil, especially those who have lost their parent(s) (Khan, 2016). There is a dearth of research on the psycho-social impacts of armed conflict on children and the strategy of effective interventions in the context of Kashmir conflict (Singh & Jha, 2017). Although few studies have been conducted on children affected by the conflict in Kashmir (e.g., Dabla, 2010; Khan, 2016; Mushtaq et al, 2016; Rashid, 2012), these studies have largely focused on the psychological illnesses and traumatic disorders.…”

Fostering global dialogue: Conceptualisations of children's rights to participation and protection

“…Children's rights have influenced the conceptualisations and practices of child protection and participation since the 1989 United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Scholars have increasingly focused on theory, practice and how they are interconnected (Evans, 2009; Inchaurrondo et al., 2018; McCafferty, 2017; Radford et al., 2017; Sanders & Mace, 2006; Singh & Jha, 2017; Streuli et al., 2009; Tisdall, 2017). Many have demonstrated the gap between rhetoric and practice (e.g.…”