Constructing the Female Labouring Body: A Case Study of Beed District of Maharashtra

By Neymat Chadha

December 24, 2019
Download article

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the rise in hysterectomies (a medical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus) among sugarcane labourers in the Beed district of Maharashtra. Employing an intersectional lens, the paper examines how bodies of female labourers in the region are imbued in a complex set of relations shaped by the agrarian crisis, migration patterns and labour relations. The paper also highlights the structural interventions undertaken by the Maharashtra State Government to address the situation and puts forward suggestions for effective policy implementation.


INTRODUCTION – AGRARIAN DISTRESS AND SEASONAL MIGRATION IN BEED

Beed, an administrative district in the Aurangabad division of Maharashtra, lies in the Marathwada region bordering Karnataka and Telangana. On October 31, 2018, the government of Maharashtra declared Beed as one of the most severe drought-hit districts in the country based on indicators such as rainfall deficit, low soil quality and decline in groundwater index (Kurtkoti and Paraste 2019). Due to prolonged drought conditions, an unprecedented rise in crop failure, debt accumulation among farmers, an increase in input costs of farming alongside declining output cost of crop produce and the lack of alternative employment opportunities, a large number of farmers in the region are pushed to the verge of suicide.


Default Author Image

Neymat Chadha

Found this post insightful? Share it with your network and help spread the knowledge.

Suggested Reads

Macroeconomic Reforms and the Indian Manufacturing Sector: Locating Labour

By Yugank Mishra

Introduction In the May of 1990 when Montek Singh Ahluwalia delivered his seminal paper, “Towards a Restructuring of Industrial, Trade and Fiscal Policies” for an internal discussion in the government, a reservation on the question of labour was made for a later date, saying,  “Reforms relating to labour legislation are also necessary. However, this is […]

Women’s Healthcare: Budgeting and Policy Insights from Maharashtra and West Bengal

By Varada Marathe

Introduction Throughout India’s history, both pre- and post-independence, Maharashtra and West Bengal have been leaders in advancing social reforms for women. Maharashtra’s contributions include the pioneering efforts of Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule, who broke societal barriers by establishing the first school for girls in Pune. Reformers like Dhondo Keshav Karve further pushed […]

Sexual Autonomy of Women in Rural India: Assessing SDG 5.6.1

By Akansha Chopra

Unfortunately, around 800,000 of these abortions are unsafe, contributing significantly to maternal mortality, despite the legal framework established by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. This highlights the persistent barriers rural women face in accessing safe sexual health services, particularly due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure compared to urban areas. This indicator is a critical measure of gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly in the context of sexual and reproductive health rights .

Great Nicobar Dilemma: Weighing Progress Against Preservation

By Anusha Arif

Background  The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a remote archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, are renowned for their pristine beaches, rich biodiversity and vibrant indigenous cultures. Much of the rich biodiversity has remained undiscovered in parts of the islands, and the fragile ecosystem faces significant environmental challenges.  The island of Great Nicobar, a part of […]