Empowering Tribal Women: Dr. Prakash Amte's Vision for Gender Equality
Abstract
The architect of the Indian Constitution and a great social reformer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar envisioned a society based on the principles of gender equality and social justice. His pioneering efforts ensured that women and marginalized communities received their rightful place in society through constitutional provisions. Building upon this vision, Dr. Prakash Amte has played a transformative role in empowering tribal women and fostering social changed. Amte has dedicated his life to improving the lives of tribal communities in remote areas like Himalayas, Gachibowli. He prioritizes education as the most powerful tool for women empowerment. He firmly believed that true social progress is impossible without education and worked tirelessly to integrate marginalized communities into mainstream society. Through the Lok Biradari Project, he introduced essential healthcare services in remote forested. regions, significantly improving the well-being of tribal populations. Since the 1972s, Dr. Amte has led efforts to eradicate superstitions and regressive customs within tribal communities by fostering social awareness through education. His initiatives have enabled tribal individuals to secure employment, adopt modern agricultural practices, and engage in business activities, promoting self-reliance and economic growth. Enhanced access to healthcare has further contributed to a better quality of life. Over the past five decades, these efforts have played a crucial role in reducing gender disparities and empowering women in tribal regions. Through his non-governmental organization, Dr. Amte has succeeded where government systems struggled, creating a lasting impact on tribal society. His work in promoting women’s empowerment, gender equality, and social transformation remains remarkable. This paper examines their invaluable contribution to tribal women's empowerment and gender equality in promoting education, healthcare, and economic independence, which will lead to sustainable social change
References
Kumar A, Kaur S, Kaur H. Emergence of Black Fungus and COVID-19 Pandemic. Innovative and Current Advances in Agriculture and Allied Sciences. 2021 Jul 19; 19:88-90.
Kumar, Dileep. "Forest Right Act, 2006: Reviewing the Law and Ground Reality for the Tribals of India Author 1. Pankhuri."
Rajan KS. Subjects of speculation: Emergent life sciences and market logics in the United States and India. American anthropologist. 2005 Mar;107(1):19-30.
Nirmala A, PCh R, Tripathy V, Reddy BM. Genetic Epidemiology of Arterial Blood Pressure: a review. Anthropology Today: Trends, Scope and Applications Anthropologist. 2007;3:263-84.
Sen A. Development as freedom (1999). The globalization and development reader: Perspectives on development and global change. 2014;525.
Narayan-Parker D, Petesch PL, editors. From many lands. World Bank Publications; 2002.
Duflo E. Women empowerment and economic development. Journal of Economic literature. 2012 Dec 1;50(4):1051-79.
Donadkar D, Rahangdale PK, Gour K. Assessment of ground water quality in and around Gadchiroli district. International Journal of Engineering Research. 2016 Apr;5(04).
Marti E, Gond JP. How do theories become self-fulfilling? Clarifying the process of Barnesian performativity. Academy of Management Review. 2019 Jul;44(3):686-94.
Yangandalwar SG, Indurkar US. Role of tribal people in the conservation of biodiversity in gadchiroli district (MS). International Journal of Researches in Biosciences, Agriculture and Technology. 2022;3(10):73-9.
Ranjan A, Westrick NM, Jain S, Piotrowski JS, Ranjan M, Kessens R, Stiegman L, Grau CR, Conley SP, Smith DL, Kabbage M. Resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soybean involves a reprogramming of the phenylpropanoid pathway and up‐regulation of antifungal activity targeting ergosterol biosynthesis. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 2019 Aug;17(8):1567-81.
Deshmukh RK, Vivancos J, Ramakrishnan G, Guérin V, Carpentier G, Sonah H, Labbé C, Isenring P, Belzile FJ, Bélanger RR. A precise spacing between the NPA domains of aquaporins is essential for silicon permeability in plants. The Plant Journal. 2015 Aug;83(3):489-500.
Dalla Costa M, James S. The Power of Women and the Subversion of the Community. Class: The Anthology. 2017 Aug 24:79-86.
Dicholkar, S., 2018. ‘Adivasi Ashram shala’(Tribal Residential school) and Protection for Tribal Children in Maharashtra, India.
Kanungo P, Mohanty S, Thamminaina A. Towards an improved involvement of parents in educating girls: a study on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in India. Educational Review. 2024 Sep 18;76(6):1601-19.
Duflo E. Women’s Empowerment and Economic Development. Omran. 2013;2(5):51-76.
