Voices of Resistance
Peacebuilding Efforts by the Women in the Left Movement during Militancy in Punjab
Keywords:
Punjab militancy, Women’s activism, Left movement, Peacebuilding, Punjab Istree SabhaAbstract
This paper examines the role of women’s activism in the Punjab Istree Sabha (PIS) – a Left-leaning movement in Punjab - during the decade of militancy (1980s–early 1990s). The research utilises oral history and archives, including newspaper articles, interviews, and reports, to explore how women resisted violence, mobilised communities, and employed cultural and religious idioms to promote peace. The study reveals how PIS used strategies such as theatre, scripture-based messaging for peacebuilding, political resistance and grassroots relief work. The paper offers insights into gendered forms of activism and the significance of women’s agency in conflict transformation.
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