My entire life has been a struggle, says Bilkis Bano at GIO conference in Kochi

“My entire life has been a struggle,” Bilkis Bano, the Gujarat riots survivor who has emerged as an icon of resilience with her prolonged legal battle for justice, said in Kochi on Sunday (November 15). Ms. Bano made the compelling remark as she inaugurated the International Conference on Women organised by the State committee of the Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) in the city.

“Everyone knows my life story, don’t they? There is no need to say anything more about it,” she said in a brief address. Ms. Bano was gang-raped and lost seven members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter, in the 2002 riots.

Thanking those who invited her, she said, “May we continue to live with such love and peace every day, staying together all our lives.” Her husband, Patel Yakub Rasool, who attended the conference, recollected the long and arduous struggle for justice she had to wage.

“The family had to relocate several times, and her rights were denied. They had to repeatedly bring instances of injustice to the attention of those in positions of power. What happened to Bilkis is now known to the entire world.

May her struggle inspire every woman to find the strength to raise her voice for her rights,” he said. The conference was presided over by GIO State president K. Shifana. Jamia Millia Islamia student leader Nousheen Farooq was the chief guest.

Saria Cheruvallil, Professor at Coventry University, UK; Dalia Saleh, researcher at the University of Cambridge; Reem Mahmoud Al Haddad, Palestinian writer and journalist; Jamaat-e-Islami national secretary A. Rahmathunnisa; and Jamaat-e-Islami Keralam ameer P.

Mujeeb Rahman were among those who spoke at various sessions.