The livelihoods of ‘adivasi’ women in south India

In Kerela, India, the state leads some notable development initiatives. But the many dimensions of deprivation within indigenous communities are under-researched, particularly in relation to women. More responsive measures can only developed through a better understanding of poverty. This is particularly the case for the historically neglected ‘adivasi’ (meaning ‘original inhabitants’).

A paper from the Brooks World Poverty Institute, in the UK, argues the ability of ‘adivasi’ to manage their assets depends on specific vulnerabilities. These are gendered, that is, they affect men and women differently. But development processes and policies have considered all indigenous livelihoods as primitive. The ‘adivasi’ of Kerala, especially women, have not benefited like other groups in the state.

Similar to other indigenous peoples across the world, the ‘adivasi’ of India (officially known as Scheduled Tribes) are disproportionately affected by poverty. Their livelihoods are affected by historical issues, including contested land rights and exploitation by mainstream society.

Gender relations affect all aspects of poverty. Girls receive less food, healthcare and education, and have less access to assets. It is harder for women to transform their capabilities into incomes or wellbeing, and they are mostly engaged in unpaid household work.

While developmental progress and the commendable social status of women in Kerala have received much attention, the author finds that across different ‘adivasi’ communities:

• The incidence of poverty is about three times that of the total population of the state; as in the rest of India, ‘adivasi’ have been dispossessed of their land.
• As landless labourers, ‘adivasi’ are badly affected by the decline of agriculture, which has led to lower wages and a decreased demand, especially for women.
• Men mostly migrate for work but women are especially vulnerable to forced migration and sexual exploitation.
• Women are also socially vulnerable to dowry practices, widespread abuse of alcohol and betel leaves, and dependency on food rations.

The causes of such vulnerability and deprivation are primarily economic and structural. The factors that maintain chronic, intergenerational poverty affect women more and relate to debt, discrimination and exploitation. How ‘adivasi’ manage their assets determines whether they can change the factors that keep them poor:

• Most ‘adivasi’ have little or no land, and few practice cultivation due to poor water supply, wild animal attacks, time spent in wage labour, and weak government support.
• Most men do not own physical assets; some women get loans to buy livestock through self-help groups.
• Financial assets mainly consist of income from seasonal waged labour, although borrowing in cash and kind is also practiced.
• ‘adivasi’ communities do not recognise human capital (such as education) as important; the school drop-out rates for girls is very high.
• Political and social participation in mainstream society by ‘adivasi’ is limited, sporadic and internally conflicted.
• ‘adivasi’ youth are involved in criminal activities for which they are victimised; wider ‘adivasi’ society bears the associated stigma.

Sensitive policies and responsive institutions are needed, which recognise the differences among ‘adivasi’ groups and their specific gender relations.

Source(s):
‘Managing Assets and Vulnerability Contexts: Vistas of Gendered Livelihoods of ‘adivasi’ Women in South India’, Brooks World Poverty Institute Working Paper 32, BWPI: Manchester, by Shoba Arun, 2008 (PDF) Full document.

id21 Research Highlight: 1 April 2009

Further Information:
Shoba Arun
Department of Sociology
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester M15 6LL, UK

Tel: +44 161 2473439
Fax: +44 161 2476321
Contact the contributor: s.arun@mmu.ac.uk

Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Brooks World Poverty Institute
University of Manchester
Humanities Bridgeford Street Building
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Tel: +44 161 3066436
Fax: +44 161 3066428
Contact the contributor: bwpi@manchester.ac.uk

Brooks World Poverty Institute, University of Manchester, UK

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