Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: A Qualitative Study on Kinnauri Tribal Women in Social Work Prospective

Abstract

Inequalities between women and men and discrimination against women have also been age old issues all over the world. Hence in the present study a initial attempt has been made to explore the gender equality and women empowerment among Kinnauri tribal women in social work prospective. For accomplishing the objectives Case studies and Focus group discussion were deeply studies thorough Observation, and Interview. These techniques proved as great assets to record the narratives and main themes of the subjects under study. The result based on qualitative research revealed these tribal people still practices old customary laws and kinnauri women have no legal property right in their ancestral property but with spared of education now tribal women are aware about their rights. According to censes 2011, in tribal district of Kinnaur 71.34% tribal women are educated and earlier in 2001 censes it was 64.40. Tribal women’s, social activist, women association they all came together for property and equality rights of tribal women and in June ,2015 a landmark judgement by Himachal Pradesh High court , which will bring a new resolution in the tribal’s society to grant equal rights to the girls, now daughters are entitled to equal share in the family property. This judgment gives a ray of hope that it will help to end gender discrimination in tribal district of Kinnaur. The education and awareness is the only means that can be used to uplift the tribal women.