Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) And The Status Of Tribal Women In Himachal Pradesh: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis
- IJLLR Journal
- Dec 4, 2025
- 2 min read
Dr. Kusum Verma, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, ICSSR, New Delhi
Prof. Jyoti Rattan, Professor, Department of Law, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
ABSTRACT
This study aims at briefly examining the status of tribal women in Himachal Pradesh through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The state of Himachal Pradesh, though performing well on several social indicators compared to other Indian states, continues to exhibit significant disparities in the socio-economic conditions of its tribal women (in the districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba). Using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), and the Himachal Pradesh Economic Survey, this study explores the nexus between gender, geography, and economic opportunity in shaping the developmental outcomes of tribal women.
The social evil of child marriage is almost terminated in the state and a lot of initiatives such as Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao were introduced to improve educational access for girls, regrettably persevering gender norms continue to limit women’s autonomy and participation in public life. Despite reservation policies political representation among tribal women remains low thereby demonstrating ongoing patriarchal constraints. Economically, tribal women are largely engaged in informal agricultural labor, horticulture, and self-help group activities under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), yet face challenges such as wage disparity, limited market access, and inadequate vocational training. So, achieving sustainable and inclusive development in Himachal Pradesh requires a multi-dimensional strategy that integrates gender equity, skill development, education, and environmental resilience into tribal development planning process. Only by ensuring their meaningful participation can Himachal Pradesh move closer to realizing the transformative vision of the SDGs.
Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Tribal Women, Himachal Pradesh, Gender Equality, Economic Empowerment.
