STATUS AND EMPOWERMENT OF BODO TRIBE WOMEN

India is a country with a number of castes and ethnic groups. If we talk about tribes, generally we believe that the group of people, considered as backward and primitive in nature. There are total 705 tribal groups in India including 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (MoTA, 2019). There are total 14 recognized tribal groups in Assam (Excluding Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council), among them Bodo tribe is the largest tribal group which carries 40.90% out of total tribal population and the Miri tribe is the second largest, 17.80% (Census, 2011). The role of tribal women in tribal society is very unique and they hold various responsibilities as compare to other tribal women. As per the reports, tribal women are hardworking than tribal men but their economic contribution is lesser. The level of health, nutrition, knowledge and standard of living of tribal women is also inferior to the tribal men. Thus the strategy for development of tribal women needs improvement, betterment, development and upliftment to effect their empowerment. This study focuses on the present status, development and empowerment of Bodo tribe women in the society.