Gujarat riots survivor Bilkis Bano shares her journey of resilience at a Kochi conference

Bilkis Bano stated that her entire life has been a struggle while speaking in Kochi on Sunday, November 15. She made the remark while opening the International Conference on Women in the city. The event was arranged by the State committee of the Girls Islamic Organisation.

Background

Ms. Bano was gang-raped and lost seven members of her family during the 2002 riots. Her losses included her three-year-old daughter. Her husband, Patel Yakub Rasool, spoke at the gathering and shared details about her long fight for justice. He noted that the family had to move several times and face denied rights while seeking justice.

Event Details

The event was led by GIO State president K. Shifana. Nousheen Farooq, a student leader from Jamia Millia Islamia, attended as the chief guest. Other speakers included Coventry University professor Saria Cheruvallil, Cambridge University researcher Dalia Saleh, and Palestinian writer Reem Mahmoud Al Haddad.

Context

Surviving major communal violence and seeking legal accountability often involves a long and difficult path through the courts over many years. Public gatherings frequently invite survivors to share their experiences as a way to highlight ongoing discussions around justice and women's rights.