Srinagar, July 15 -- At a time when a new book titled 'Can You Hear Kashmiri Women Speak' is presenting female voices of the valley, many strife-battered women are silently braving the everyday lockdown trauma in Kashmir. Among them are half widows whose endless wait is escalating due to existential crisis created by lockdowns.

By Arshi Qureshi

BEFORE abrogation of Article 370 last summer, Habla Begum as a half widow of Kashmir used to get Rs 1,000 as monthly assistance from some welfare body. But after the political and pandemic lockdowns were enforced in the valley, she has been struggling to survive despite some Samaritans actively managing destitution in the strife-stricken society.

"Last summer's crisis followed by coronavirus mad...