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 \ncommunities, Fisherfolk and Scheduled Tribes, have gender bias in their \npopulation unlike rest of Kerala. An in-depth study on fishing households \nfrom two coastal hamlets in the state not only validates the lower \nproportion of females in the community statistically but also provides \njustification of Sen's alternative version of "cooperative conflict" model \nas an explanation for the lower well-being of females. All four basic \nfunctionings - morbidity, longevity, education, nutrition- estimated from \nsurvey data using capability approach show female deprivation. Further, \nit provides evidence to argue that lower bargaining power of females in \nthe intra household distribution of resources emanates from their worse \nbreakdown position, their valuation of family interest above self-interest \nand their lower perceived contribution to household opulence. \nJEL Classification : J16, C70 \nKey Words : deprivation, capabilities, well-being, co-operative conflict

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