De-Capitalising Women Due To Development Induced Displacement: A Case Of International Fishing Harbour Project In Kerala

Kerala is a well-known state in India for its human development index. As the shortage of land  and population density of Kerala are bigger problems in Kerala, displacement due to development project affect the most marginalized people and it multiplies their vulnerability, particularly to women . Women are removed from their productive system, commercial activities and livelihoods due to displacement. Subsequently they lose both natural and human capital. This study tries to analyse  the case of International Fishing Harbour project at Vizhinjam,  Thuruvananthapuram. This study tries to analyse  the problems faced by the women who lose their employment due to displacement and how it affects stress level of women .The present study could found that  it  affect their self-esteem and confidence in society and feeling of injustice and it deepened their vulnerability. The present paper also tries to analyse the practices which leads to ill-health of women. Here displaced women do not avail the monetary compensation but also lose of social networking. One side, women projected as the social capital of the state  but on the other side  they are voiceless and  oppressed. Development projects tend to ignore women’s needs and aspirations and are making the women from one form of subordination to other form. Loss of livelihood impoverishes them further but even among them women suffer more than men do. Women have received less attention in the developmental process of the country. Moreover, the prevailing cultural practices and socialization process, market situation etc devaluing women’s critical contributions to the society.  There is much effort is required to consider them with their own skills, strength and capacities to improve their condition for an inclusive growth. A gendered approach is needed in the planning, implementation of developmental projects for the conducive development.