India is home to a large number of tribal communities, most of who reside in forested and remote regions and have remained largely isolated from mainstream society. Although the condition of tribal populations has improved since independence, it would be incorrect to claim that they enjoy living standards similar to those in urban or rural areas. Tribal groups face several unique challenges that the rest of the population does not experience. Deprivation of basic necessities is common, and survival takes precedence over comfort or luxury. The condition of women within tribal communities is particularly distressing and significantly worse than that of women in urban and rural settings. Tribal women encounter serious issues related to health, education, exploitation, and insecurity. Their primary aspiration is to live peacefully without constant fear or hardship. While women everywhere face struggles, tribal women suffer more acutely due to lack of resources and the heavy burden of survival. This paper seeks to analyze the present status of tribal women and explore their ongoing struggle for dignity and empowerment in contemporary society.
Bhosale et al. (2026) studied this question.