TRANSFORMATIVE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICES FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF TRIBAL WOMEN IN WAYANAD, KERALA

ABSTRACT The challenges faced by Tribal women are varied and include socio-economic marginalization, inadequate education and healthcare facilities, cultural discrimination, and vulnerability to gender-based violence. For decades, women have been playing crucial roles in Tribal societies, a trend that has persisted because they have remained leaders in society. In Wayanad, Kerala, there are specific cultural, economic, and social dynamics which influence Tribal women. This paper will analyse the issues facing Tribal women in terms of their situation in their communities, their support arrangements, and their empowerment initiatives and improvements in their levels of well-being. Transformative Social Work practice involves individual-level support and interventions at multiple levels, organizational practices, community contexts, and policy development for capability building towards sustained and enduring change. In this respect, the study provides information for changing grassroots initiatives to make them more responsive to the needs of native women. Empowering Tribal women as transformative agents of change can make communities and nations stronger against environmental and other challenges. The research utilized Descriptive Research Design. Interview Schedule was used to collect the main data from the respondents. The study population was the Tribal communities residing in Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad district, Kerala, and particularly Appapara and Thirunelly, where many tribes resided. Stratified random sampling was used to sample 60 respondents from Tribal communities. It is established that there are gaps in accessibility, sustainability, and resource distribution through existing programs. The study ends with suggestions for policy intervention that will address specific problems of Tribal women by improving capacity-building opportunities among them and promoting closer coordination between community-based organizations and government agencies to strengthen their leadership for sustainable community development and resilience. Keywords: Tribal Women, Community Support, Transformative Practice