THE question of equality for Adivasi* and other forest dwelling women contains discussions on multiple layers of discrimination, all of which are not necessarily based on gender. These layers cut across caste and class bias and make Adivasi women among the most marginalised in the country. To initiate a conversation around the question of equality for Adivasi women requires that we not only unfold the gender perspective, but also problematise the mainstream legal and political discourse which articulates the identity of forest-dwelling communities as the ‘other’. Such discourse requires that feminist perspectives confront our own paradigm and conduct an inward critique — forcing us to question our frames of reference for equality.
In this context, we need to explore the nature and content of feminist legal reforms that are proposed in addition to interrogating the backlash that such reforms might face. Often, questions of equality for Adivasi women are pitched to fit the framework set for women from dominant communities, with no regard to their unique sense of identity and connection with their communities or lands.
Interestingly, the case for equality for Adivasi women is most popularly made by singling out the customary laws of community which discriminate against women in matters of inheritance.
