This comes as no surprise. A report recently released by ActionAid, Indian Social Institute (ISI), and LAYA (an NGO based in Andhra Pradesh working on tribal rights issues) called ‘Resources Rich Tribal Poor’, says that development projects that cause displacement also cause women to suffer the most. From violence against women to a heavier work load, the burden of ‘development’ falls on women’s shoulders. I tried to find a copy of the report but was unsuccessful…
What I found particularly disturbing is that people’s traditional mode of life and culture is being threatened by displacement. Especially when their practices seem even more ‘progressive’ and natural than ‘modern’ ways, i.e. women bathing on their own in the open.
Most of the displaced people who are tribals find it very difficult to cope in a new environment. Not only do they lose their cultural identity and customary practices but they also have to adopt the local community’s culture to survive.
The report states an example of women in Orissa who spoke about their fear and discomfort in their otherwise traditional bathing practice in the open in the streams and rivers.
‘In a new setting they are scared to be themselves and instead of the traditional bathing practice, they roam around in groups rather than walking alone.
‘Most of the rituals practised by the forest dwellers in their homes are looked down upon by the host communities,’ the report said.
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