LITERACY, MENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG TRIBAL WOMEN IN THE HILL DISTRICTS OF WEST BENGAL

Gender representation is low in almost every field of life, and in institutions political as well. This has caused further barriers for women in getting a necessary formulation of legislation for protection of women rights, equality provisions, and a better status in socio-economics. Tribal women appear to have been nurtured in traditional values, beliefs and culture which are marked by male dominance, tending to marginalize the women. Women’s inability to perform effectively in such an environment becomes a matter of serious concern. There is negligible mention of the mental health status of Scheduled Tribe populations in the ICMR. Quality of life on the other hand include the satisfaction of one’s needs, the experience of well-being, and working conditions. The present study thus makes a modest attempt and explores to study literacy and its association with mental health and quality of life on tribal women in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts of West Bengal.