Tibetan refugee women in India a study of socio economic status

Abstract

This research investigates the nuanced socio-cultural historical context of refugee groups, with a particular emphasis on the often-overlooked demographic of girls and women, constituting nearly half of the displaced population. While global scholarship has extensively explored the refugee population, post-partition refugees in India have predominantly been examined through a security and nationalistic lens. This mixed-method study contributes to recent scholarly endeavours by providing an in-depth analysis of the socio-cultural historical context of refugee groups, focusing specifically on Tibetan women. The primary objective is to examine the socio-economic and cultural status of Tibetan women in five settlements Dehradun, Delhi, Dharamshala, Shimla, and Solan. The study delves into the prevalence of gender-based violence and decision-making practices among girls and women. Data, gathered from 351 respondents, underwent analysis using both inductive and deductive methods. Despite a global trend of rising literacy rates, findings indicate that merely one-fourth of respondents could pursue higher education. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated health and financial challenges, with prevalent health issues among women including obesity, hypertension, hypotension, and gastritis. Health care was predominantly sought from Tibetan government-run hospitals or Men-Tsee Khang. Verbal violence emerged as a pervasive issue across all settlements. While women assumed a predominant role in household decision-making, entry and sustainability in politics were influenced by factors such as community acceptance, past performance, political ties with Western countries, and loyalty to the XIVth Dalai Lama. newlineIn conclusion, this research unveils a myriad of both acknowledged and previously undiscovered factors vital for comprehending the concealed realities within the Tibetan community.