Vanamithra' to help empower tribal women

KOZHIKODE: Social justice minister K.K. Shylaja on Sunday launched Vanamitra, an empowerment programme for tribal women, envisaged by the Kerala Women’s Development Corporation.  The programme would be implemented in  four tribal settlements of Muthukad on a  pilot basis. “The women will get trained in  various skills in selected areas,” said the  minister.  The project covers mainly the Paniya tribe, most of them rehabilitated from Wayanad. “When they get empowered with skills, their economic condition as well as lifestyle would improve,” the minister said.

“Tribals, especially women among them, are still way behind in education and health indicators. The project aims at helping them achieve a better life.” Since health is a major factor for economic independence, pregnant women, lactating mothers and kids below the age of five in the area would be given more importance in health check-ups and immunisation programmes, she said.  Once the programme in Muthukad turns successful, it would be implemented in other parts of the state too.  The minister sought the cooperation of other departments like health, forest and scheduled tribe development.