Paper short abstract:

The SRH concerns of indigenous women, in India have been severely aggravated due to COVID19. Unmet needs for contraception, sanitary napkins, pregnancy and abortions, are only a few issues that adversely affected the marginalized women from third world countries more than others.

Paper long abstract:

The historical exclusion of women from wielding socio-economic and political power has kept them subdued and marginalized, making them the biggest vulnerable group across the globe. Health has been a major concern in this regard, especially the Sexual and Reproductive health (SRH). This situation has been further deteriorated due to the COVID 19 pandemic. While this was an international concern, affecting all, it was particularly threatening for women from marginalized communities, in third world countries like India, as their socio-economic, political and sometimes legal vulnerabilities increase due to their social identities as women from marginalized sections. Therefore, this paper is an endeavour to highlight the SRH concerns of the indigenous Indian women, that worsened due to the pandemic, and the government’s responses towards it. While STIs, UTIs, leucorrhoea, vaginal infections, breast and cervical cancers, are common SRH concerns among the indigenous women, they became severe during the pandemic due to inaccessibility and unavailability of medical facilities. Resources were diverted to deal with the “important” health concern- COVID19. Unmet needs for contraception, sanitary napkins, pregnancy and abortions increased. The SRH concerns of women overall took a backseat, however, for the indigenous women the situation was much worse. These women, who work as labourers, domestic helps, sex workers and are engaged in the informal sector, were practically left with no money for food or healthcare. They walked for several kilometres, including pregnant women, without food or hygienic bathrooms, to reach safe places, as they were thrown out by their contractors.