ABSTRACT
Gender relations among Scheduled Tribes are riddled with complex diversity and are in a process of dynamic change. ST women suffer not only from normal gender-based disadvantages but also those inherent in customary laws and practices and also due to belonging to the most marginalised and vulnerable section of Indian society. The chapter locates the constitutional provisions and other policy directives for safeguarding the culture, resource rights, and livelihoods of tribal communities. But the constitutional safeguards have been violated both by the state and more recently for private interests. Tribal women have been the worst sufferers of this progressive and continuing loss of common lands and forests as they are unable to continue playing their important economic role in their communities’ traditional economies.
