Status of tribal women
The popular image and perception of tribal women is that they enjoy much better social status than their non tribal counterparts as the tribal women have no fear of early marriage, no stigma of widow hood, have the freedom of divorce and remarriage, and earns in her own way to get economic independence. But she is less paid on equal work than her male counterparts, she cannot hold the office of the priest, neither is allowed to touch the plough or participate in the roofing of the house. Women of some tribal groups cannot be allowed to enter into the temple or attend any communal worship. The social status of tribal women of Tripura is little bit peculiar compare to their non-tribal sisters. The prevalence of bride price as contrasted to dowry, the existence of matrilineal and matriarchal society mostly sometimes confirm the higher social status of the tribal women. But in tribal society also, there are clearly defined areas of work among the males and females. Along with men folk in economic activities and earning livelihood, tribal women participate in all agricultural operations except ploughing. The division of work is heavily loaded against the tribal women in addition to an equal share in the production of economy. She also bears the burden of all house hold works. The importance of tribal women in their society is significant because of the fact that the tribal women work hard almost relentlessly and the family economy and management depend on them. The unrecognized role of a silent worker primarily because the tribal women are not empowered to take decision both inside and outside of her family which her ancestral property. It must be mentioned that lack of education is the main hindrance in securing the power, establishing the command, placing decision though they are entitled for the property right. Economic development is a problem of women in general and the tribal women in particular. The problem becomes more surmountable of backward hilly regions inhibited by tribal people who reflect the co existence of many problems namely economic, geographical and sociological. The low level of literacy is the most acute problem for any progress of economic development. Literacy, education and subsequent good and sound economy have a great bearing on the status of women by enabling them to take right decision and earn a living. In the last decade or so the empowerment of women has been recognized as a central issue in determining the situational reality of their status. The Government of India has declared the year 2001 as women’s empowerment year and a lot has been and is being done at national and international levels. Yet the question remains unanswered in that despite all the efforts. Why women, particularly the tribal women continue to be so much backward in almost all levels in comparison with their class sisters? The Status and Empowerment of Tribal Women of Tripura, though much better in comparison with other tribal women of India, is on the line of slow but steady progress.
The popular image and perception of tribal women is that they enjoy much better social status than their non tribal counterparts as the tribal women have no fear of early marriage, no stigma of widow hood, have the freedom of divorce and remarriage, and earns in her own way to get economic independence. But she is less paid on equal work than her male counterparts, she cannot hold the office of the priest, neither is allowed to touch the plough or participate in the roofing of the house. Women of some tribal groups cannot be allowed to enter into the temple or attend any communal worship. The social status of tribal women of Tripura is little bit peculiar compare to their non-tribal sisters. The prevalence of bride price as contrasted to dowry, the existence of matrilineal and matriarchal society mostly sometimes confirm the higher social status of the tribal women. But in tribal society also, there are clearly defined areas of work among the males and females. Along with men folk in economic activities and earning livelihood, tribal women participate in all agricultural operations except ploughing. The division of work is heavily loaded against the tribal women in addition to an equal share in the production of economy. She also bears the burden of all house hold works. The importance of tribal women in their society is significant because of the fact that the tribal women work hard almost relentlessly and the family economy and management depend on them. The unrecognized role of a silent worker primarily because the tribal women are not empowered to take decision both inside and outside of her family which her ancestral property. It must be mentioned that lack of education is the main hindrance in securing the power, establishing the command, placing decision though they are entitled for the property right. Economic development is a problem of women in general and the tribal women in particular. The problem becomes more surmountable of backward hilly regions inhibited by tribal people who reflect the co existence of many problems namely economic, geographical and sociological. The low level of literacy is the most acute problem for any progress of economic development. Literacy, education and subsequent good and sound economy have a great bearing on the status of women by enabling them to take right decision and earn a living. In the last decade or so the empowerment of women has been recognized as a central issue in determining the situational reality of their status. The Government of India has declared the year 2001 as women’s empowerment year and a lot has been and is being done at national and international levels. Yet the question remains unanswered in that despite all the efforts. Why women, particularly the tribal women continue to be so much backward in almost all levels in comparison with their class sisters? The Status and Empowerment of Tribal Women of Tripura, though much better in comparison with other tribal women of India, is on the line of slow but steady progress.
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