Status of tribal women in Himachal Pradesh a study of Kinnaur a tribe

Abstract

The present study explored the overall status of the Kinnaura women in Himachal Pradesh. In order to gain a complete understanding of the status of Kinnaura women in their tribal setting, a broad spectrum of the social, political, health, and economic status of women has been considered. it was found that women in Kinnaura society enjoy certain privileges, as they have the freedom to choose their life partner; they also have the right to seek divorce without prejudice; widows have the option to remarry; and there is no dowry system. It was observed that after the implementation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, the involvement and participation of women increased considerably; they were actively taking part in the public decision-making process through voting. However, it was also observed that most of the women were not interested in participating as contestants. In the present study, it was found that Kinnaura women were not conscious and concerned about their health conditions; they were still facing reproductive as well as general health issues due to the absence of quality health care facilities in their area. In Kinnaura society, it was found that the most tedious and backbreaking tasks in agriculture, livestock rearing, and household work were performed by women but still, they were financially dependent on the males for their basic necessities, It was due to the practice of the customary law of inheritance which debars Kinnaura women from inheriting property. newline