Gender bias in a marginalised community : a study of Fisherfolk in coastal Kerala

Abstract

Empirical analysis of female-male ratio in Kerala reveals that two communities, Fisherfolk and Scheduled Tribes, have gender bias in their population unlike rest of Kerala. An in-depth study on fishing households from two coastal hamlets in the state not only validates the lower proportion of females in the community statistically but also provides justification of Sen's alternative version of "cooperative conflict" model as an explanation for the lower well-being of females. All four basic functionings - morbidity, longevity, education, nutrition- estimated from survey data using capability approach show female deprivation. Further, it provides evidence to argue that lower bargaining power of females in the intra household distribution of resources emanates from their worse breakdown position, their valuation of family interest above self-interest and their lower perceived contribution to household opulence. JEL Classification : J16, C70 Key Words : deprivation, capabilities, well-being, co-operative conflict