Ambiguous marital identity and conflict: A study of the half-widows in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The Kashmir conflict over the years has produced a new class of women known as half-widows—wives of disappeared men. Half-widows are differentially affected by conflict due to their relationship with men. This article aims to explore the heterogeneity of the experiences of half-widows. The husband's disappearance not only resulted in their ambiguous marital status but also had a ripple effect on other aspects of life. Therefore, using a socio-ecological approach, this study appropriates Pauline Boss’s Ambiguous Loss Theory to understand and analyze the multifaceted vulnerabilities of half-widows. Based on fieldwork in Kashmir, this study argues that the multifaceted vulnerabilities and everyday challenges form complex emotions and conflicting roles and responsibilities due to the half-widow’s ambiguous marital status. The disappeared husband’s physical absence and psychological presence push the half-widows into a state of flux between the past and present. As a result, half-widows find themselves grappling with socio-economic hardships and psychological distress, exacerbating their unresolved grief and feelings of hopelessness. By highlighting these critical human rights issues, we aim to offer a nuanced perspective on the everyday struggles encountered by half-widows, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of their lived experiences.