Empowerment of Tribal Women of Assam

Abstract

The present volume, a product of the two day seminar, includes the papers presented, proceedings of the academic, inaugural and valedictory sessions and also the recommendations. The development of women in general and tribal women in particular to empower them has been the centre stage of various developments planning both at the central as well as state levels in India. It is opined that in general the political and economic conditions of tribal women is more depressed and neglected than that of non tribal counterpart. The state has taken up a number of policies to promote, preserve and strengthen the economic and political empowerment of tribal women. Economic empowerment of tribal women is an essential issue of tribal development. The seminar on Empowerment of Tribal Women of Assam was organized Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled castes, Guwahati, Assam, on 6th and 7th November 2007, to understand the problems and other issues faced by tribal women and find means for their empowerment. The book consists of 18 research papers presented in the seminar. The major findings of the seminar based on research papers presented in the seminar were incorporated in the book. Awareness programme on different issues concerning the lives of tribal women, environmental issues, legal issues, health, reproductive rights, adult literacy and non formal education for girls etc., should be organized. Special attention need to be paid to provide better health care and health measures-which will lead to improvement of womens physical health and status. Awareness about the value of education which will lead to improvement of literacy rates among women as also retention of girl children in schools. Tribal women role in decision making in the political area should also be strengthened. Research on tribal women issues should be based on empirical data which will lead to a proper perspective of women's issues and arrive at some practical solutions.