•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Adivasis are the original inhabitants of India, and their history has been plagued by suffering and deprivation. From the Aryan invasion of 1400 B.C. to the British colonial period, Adivasis have been subjected to domination, displacement, organized loot of resources, and suppression. They are still experiencing forced displacement and other forms of injustice and inequalities in the name of capitalist development. The Indian government took many positive steps to change the condition of Scheduled Tribes (the constitutional term for Adivasi), but despite these governmental actions, no significant changes have been witnessed in their livelihood. A vast majority of the Adivasi population cannot use governmental facilities. The condition of Adivasi women is even worse than that of Adivasi men. PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action), a nonprofit, non-government organization started in the 1980s with the vision of bringing positive changes to the lives of less privileged people, primarily works on problems of severe poverty, illiteracy, high infant mortality, and social evils like dowry, slavery, and wife burning. The present work presents a brief history of the Adivasi and the constitutional debate over the term Adivasi, a highlight of the measures taken by the government, and a discussion of the difficult life circumstances faced by Adivasi women. This paper critically explores the pattern of crime against Adivasi women. It further focuses on the innovative and effective strategies and community-based approaches that PRADAN embraced in helping to improve the lives of Adivasi women. Specifically, this paper will discuss how Adivasi women are becoming united through PRADAN’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and other women’s organizations formed by PRADAN, such as Narmada Mahila Sangh (NMS), Damodar Mahila Mandal (DMM), and Nari Adalat (Women’s Court) that provide justice and hope to Adivasi women.

Download

Share

COinS