The tribal population in India numerically constitutes a small segment of the total population of the country but is a significant part of the population. Most of the Scheduled tribe people lives in rural areas and their population comprise 10.4 % of the total rural population of the country. The term ‘scheduled tribes’ first appeared in the Constitution of India, to confer certain constitutional privileges and protection to a group of people who are considered disadvantaged and backward. In the Constitution of India, Article 366 (25) defines Scheduled Tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or part of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to the scheduled Tribes (STs) for the purposes of this Constitution.

Status of Tribal woman:

Status of tribal women are not same in all places, rather they vary according to the tribal group and the social structure. However, in tribal societies, tribal women are more important than women in any other social groups because tribal women are very hardworking and in almost all the tribal communities they participate in economic activities almost equally with men or works harder than men and the family economy and income also depend on women.

Problems of tribal woman:

• The tribal group’s health status is lower compared to that of the general population. They have high infant mortality rate, higher fertility rate, lack of awareness regarding diseases and health care, drinking water provisions, hygiene.
• Most of the tribal women work outside their homes and are engaged in various activities. They work in order to earn money for their family. The women’s work involves daily labour, agricultural work. Even young children and girls go for work along with their mothers. Most of the time they do not go to school regularly or become drop outs from school
• Work participation rate among scheduled tribe women were higher in percentage as compared to others. Poor economic condition has a direct bearing on the degree of participation. Scheduled tribe workers are engaged in agricultural sector and in non-gainful occupations. Considering the education, economic and health of the tribal women, their positions were not at all satisfactory.
• Although work participation among tribal women is higher compared to scheduled caste and general population but the livelihoods of the tribal people are neither permanent nor fixed. Most of them do not have a regular source of income, and they live below the poverty level.
• Lack of awareness about nutritional requirements mostly leaves the tribal women weak, anaemic and they suffer from various diseases. During pregnancy, special attention is required to be given to women otherwise that will affect the health of both the mother and child.

Measures taken by government:

• Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) to provide micro-finance services to bring about the socio-economic upliftment of poor women.
• National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) to strengthen the overall processes that promotes all-round Development of Women
• Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers (including single mother) to provide day care facilities for running a crèche of 25 children in the age group 0-6 years from families having monthly income of less than Rs 12,000.
• One Stop Centre to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence.
• Adivasi mahila Sashaktikaran yojana is an exclusive  concessional scheme for the economic development of eligible Scheduled Tribe Women in which NSTFDC provides Term Loan for Scheme(s)/Project(s) costing upto Rs. 50000/- per unit/profit cent.
• Sabla Scheme has been launched for holistic development of adolescent girls in the age group of 11-18 years. This includes tribal girls as well.

Conclusion

Tribal women play a major role in the management of their natural, social, economic resources and agricultural development but they still remain backward due to traditional values, illiteracy, dominant roles is decision making, social evils and many other cultural factors. The participatory role of tribals in improving their living conditions by fully exploring natural endowments and alternative uses must find an appropriate place in the strategic approach.