Volume V Special Issue VI December 2025

Name of Author : Haritha Rajesh

Title of the paper : Gendered Vulnerabilities and Resilience: Climate Change and Migration Among Tribal Women in Sholayur, Attappadi

Abstract: Climate change has intensified as a complex challenge that deepens social and gender inequalities, especially within marginalized tribal communities. This paper examines how environmental stress and displacement intersect with gender in Sholayur, Attappadi, Kerala a region experiencing rapid deforestation, declining rainfall, and water scarcity. Based on field observations and supporting data, the study investigates how shifts in climate patterns have disrupted traditional livelihoods, reduced agricultural productivity, and forced subtle forms of migration that are reshaping community life. The research finds that tribal women encounter multiple layers of vulnerability being women, members of indigenous groups, and economically dependent yet they also emerge as strong agents of resilience and adaptation. By relying on community bonds, indigenous ecological knowledge, and informal livelihood networks, these women continue to navigate environmental and social uncertainties with determination. Anchored in the frameworks of feminist political ecology and climate justice, this paper argues that mainstream policy approaches often neglect the gendered realities of climate induced migration, leaving tribal women underrepresented in environmental and development discussions. The study calls for inclusive climate policies that prioritize tribal womens perspectives, ensuring their participation in building sustainable, resilient communities.

Keywords : Climate Change, Tribal Women, Gendered Vulnerability, Resilience, Attappadi, Migration

DOI :

Page Number : 96-100