With over 75% of Uttrakhand’s population living in villages with scarce medical facilities the Infant Mortality rate for the state is reported to be 42 per thousand live births. Around 89% of the babies are delivered at home with no nurses, midwives or doctors to attend to them at this crucial time.
Harsh climate, difficult terrain, scarcity of water and gender discriminatory practices make life a struggle for these women of the hills.
Ironically with one third of the Uttrakhand’s population falling within the highest wealth index it is a sad that poverty still holds its grip amongst the hilly terrain of this state. Crime against women in the state has been on the rise from year to year in 2006 alone 91 rapes, 52 dowry deaths, 48 murders and 138 abductions and other crimes were reported with the district of Haridwar topping the list in such crimes.
In comparison to their counterparts on the plains, the women of Uttrakhand especially on the high altitudes lead difficult lives amidst harsh weather conditions and glaring lack of basic amenities. It is time that humanitarian efforts are made to ease their day to day burden and bring to light their daily plight.
