The Silent Warriors

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AARUSHI SINGEETHAM

As India's native daughters, Adivasi women are infused with centuries of wisdom and tradition. However, their lives are frequently characterised by struggles they did not choose but nevertheless confronted with an unmatched fortitude that can only be characterised as amazing. These women fight against the odds of economic hardship,  social isolation, lack of access to education, and cultural marginalisation daily.  They are warriors, but not on battlefields. 

For the majority of Adivasi women, access to healthcare and education—both necessary for advancement—remains a utopia. There are no schools in remote tribal regions, and those that do exist are frequently understaffed and understaffed. Girls are discouraged from going to school, which keeps them in poverty. Adivasi women predominantly inhabit remote regions, relying on subsistence farming and daily wage labour. Numerous indigenous tribes have been uprooted due to the intrusion of industrial operations,  especially mining, which has deprived them of their customary means of subsistence and left them vulnerable financially. They are frequently forced into unstable labour marketplaces where exploitation is common as a result of this economic instability. In states like Madhya Pradesh, the degradation of agricultural land due to climate change exacerbates their plight, compelling women and young girls to seek work in informal sectors, where they are susceptible to trafficking and forced marriages.  

Social exclusion further isolates them. Seen as "outsiders" in their land, Adivasi women are often excluded from mainstream societal frameworks. They face discrimination based on their ethnicity, caste, and gender, leaving them with little to no representation in policy-making or decision-making bodies. The rise of witch-hunting practices in certain regions exemplifies the extreme forms of violence they endure,  leading to social ostracisation and even death. We live in the 21st century, truly, why do we still promote such practices? Is it just? Don’t these women need a voice too? 

The plight of Adivasi women in India is dire. To save their territory, numerous  Adivasi women are leading the anti-extractivist movement, much as other Indigenous women worldwide. However, because the political repression women experience is frequently sexual, doing so puts them in a precarious situation. In addition,  many Adivasi women experience assault and prejudice from members of their community.  

It is not by accident that the military state forces and police target Adivasi women with repressive measures like rape and custodial brutality. These harsh methods are employed because they make the impacted women and the greater Adivasi groups fearful. As the rural economy fails to sustain the Adivasis, they look for other options. There have been several instances where Adivasi girls have been forced to work as housemaids or menial workers and have been starved and brutalised by their employers. The agencies enrolling and supplying them to employers assume no responsibility. Many such women and girls have been isolated from their families with promises of lucrative jobs and sold off to be used as sex slaves in countries of the Middle East and others.  

How much do these women need to go through to reach a state of peace? 

Amidst these adversities, Adivasi women have emerged as beacons of resilience. Take,  for instance, the entrepreneurial ventures in Odisha, where tribal women, despite being illiterate, have successfully managed farmer-producer organisations, contributing significantly to their communities' economic upliftment.  

In Gujarat's Dang district, women's collectives have transformed agricultural practices,  achieving a turnover of about ₹1.85 crore through the sale of organic seeds and produce.  These initiatives have not only provided financial stability but have also empowered women to take on leadership roles within their communities. 

Activists like Padala Bhudevi from Andhra Pradesh have been instrumental in advocating for women's rights and entrepreneurship among the Savara tribe. Her efforts in improving  family diets and promoting sustainable agricultural practices have garnered national  recognition, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar.

As a woman myself, I cannot even imagine the pain these women go through daily. We now live in a world wherein there is enough to go by for everyone, however it is deprived for many out there, just like the Adivasi women. It is saddening to see that even after knowing the silent struggles of these communities nothing is being done about them. The narrative of Adivasi women is one of enduring strength amidst systemic challenges. By uplifting them, we enrich the cultural and social fabric of the nation and move toward a more equitable society.