HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY DECISION-MAKING: A STUDY ON MALAYALI TRIBAL WOMEN IN TAMIL NADU

Sathiesh P; A Muhammed Iqshanullah; Rajasekaran R; Sathees Kumar K

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i12s.2026.8386

Authors

Sathiesh P Research Scholar, PG, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Technology, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu.
A Muhammed Iqshanullah Assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Technology, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu.
Rajasekaran R Assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Technology, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu.
Sathees Kumar K Assistant professor, Department of Basic Sciences, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Technology, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i12s.2026.8386

Keywords:

Malayali Tribal Women, Decision-Making Pattern, Empowerment, Agricultural Extension, Tribal Development, Tamil Nadu

Abstract [English]

The present study was conducted to analyze the decision-making pattern among Malayali tribal women in Tamil Nadu. Dharmapuri District was selected purposefully because, among the districts in Tamil Nadu, it is one of the highest in Malayali tribal population. Tribal women play a vital role in household management, agricultural activities, livestock care, financial management, and social responsibilities. However, their participation in decision-making processes has undergone significant changes due to education, self-help group participation, extension interventions, and socio-economic development. An ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. Three tribal villages namely Sitheri, Manjavadi, and Sitlingi were purposively selected, and a total of 120 Malayali tribal women respondents were chosen through purposive sampling technique. The study focused on assessing women’s involvement in household, agricultural, economic, educational, healthcare, and community-related decisions. The findings indicated that tribal women had comparatively higher participation in household and child-related decisions, while their involvement in financial, land-related, and community-level decisions remained moderate due to socio-cultural restrictions and limited resource access. Participation in self-help groups, literacy improvement, and exposure to agricultural extension programmes positively influenced their confidence and decision-making ability. The study concludes that strengthening extension services, women-centered development programmes, education, and livelihood opportunities can further enhance the empowerment and decision-making capacity of Malayali tribal women.

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