In 1970,

47% of Indians were engaged in agriculture

74% of which in plantations

agricultural estates provided income

opportunities and other basic services:

- housing- free estate schools

- health care

agriculture was gradually phased-out

by manufacturing sectors

plantation gave way to highway, golf

courses etc

from 1980 - 2000300,000 Indians were

forced out of plantation residence

people lost jobs and homes

deprived access from basic amenities,

socio-cultural facilities

destroyed estate community support

structures

lost plots for vegetable farming and cattle

grazing

people faced difficulties in negotiating the

transition from plantation to urban or

sub-urban living

•estranged /alienated in their new urban environment

•lacked required skills, capital and support structure

forced migration led to break-up of extended

family system

decline in community support which

traditionally helped women in fulfilling their

responsibilities

women have to contribute to the

depleting family income through external labor

more households headed by women due to migration of men

household work, child education and family income have doubled the burden of women

In patriarchal households, increasing number of men distressed by competitive urban environment turn

to:

•excessive alcohol consumption

•commanded respect by beating wives and children

•sexual abuse and other demeaning treatment to women

uplift community through legal and

psychological counseling

1

awareness raising and skills training

2

empowerment of women to assert their rights

3

while gaining greater self-esteem & control over

their lives in both personal and social relationships

4

WE CALL on our government to respond to our issues

WE CALL on ASEAN to carefully assess the impact of

integration policies that negatively impact on

grassroots, particularly women

Thank you!