Tribal women living in pathetic conditions

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Take a glance at the living conditions of tribals in the state, then the much-hailed Kerala model and socio-economic status would immediately fall into pieces like a house of cards.The condition of tribal women is even worse. A study conducted by the Kerala State Women’s Commission into the lives of tribal women in the state has some shocking revelations that would put the state to shame. Among the tribal women, more than half face various kinds of sexual harassment.Around 50 per cent women said they were experiencing sexual exploitation and 49 per cent said they were helpless to question the tormentors. Majority does not have their own house and 53.5 per cent women do not have guardians that make them vulnerable to exploitation.Shockingly, 76.08 per cent are deprived of daily meals. More than 90 per cent do not have a daily job. In the case of adivasi women, more than half have debts and majority work for daily wages of less than `50. Around 22 per cent women said they are being forced into prostitution.The living conditions of the tribal women are so pathetic. There is no toilet facility for 40.67 per cent. The study also found that the health condition of almost 90 percent of tribal women was unsatisfactory. More than half became mothers between 20-25 years. Most of them did not get enough care during the pregnancy period.Majority (71.31 per cent) of tribal mothers suffer from depression and around 48 per cent have anxiety disorders. Around 63 per cent have sleep  disorders.T Devi, Women’s Commission member, who has been working among tribal women since 1984, said the condition of adivasi women is worsening. “The Women’s Commission is studying the issue since 1996. Enough fund has been allotted for the uplift of tribals, but this often goes into the hands of middlemen. The Women’s Commission is providing fund for tribal women to conduct DNA tests. Many cases have been proved with the Commission’s support,” she said. More than half of the women said they stopped education due to financial constraints.