Determinants Of Tribal Women Empowerment With Reference Their Social And Economical Perspectives – A Study In Visakhapatnam District

Abstract

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. Andhra Pradesh is the traditional home of nearly 33 tribal groups and most of these communities are found inhabiting in the border areas of Andhra Pradesh, especially in the North and North-East, and highest Scheduled Tribe population is found in Khammam and Visakhapatnam districts. 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. In this purpose this paper aimed to study the determinants of tribal women empowerment with reference to their social and economical perspectives. Therefore, The major findings of this paper based on data analysis discussed above, the different aspects like age, religion, education, vocational training, occupation, family type, family size, dependence ratio, dwelling house, amenities in house, social status, economic status, individual property, health status and politics status concerning the lives of tribal women, which are determining their empowerment. Among these education, vocational training, occupation, amenities in house, economic status, individual properties and health status of tribal women impact more on empowerment of tribal women. Therefore, special attention need to be paid to provide better education, awareness on economic activities and health care, which will lead to improvement of women’s physical health and economic status.