UNWED MOTHERS IN ODISHA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Unwed Motherhood is emerging as a serious concern in our society where women are sexually exploited and literally left on the streets in a state of unwed pregnancy. The issue of unwed mothers is generating devastation in the conventional Odiya society. Odisha is a small culturally rich state of India having 30 districts and many famous tribes like Bonda, Bhumias, Kondhas, Santals, Sauras ect. Although Odisha has witnessed many positive changes resulting in development and growth an increased rate in crime and discriminatory behavior is observed towards its female citizens that is causing great unrest in the state. One such crime is the issue of unwed motherhood within the state especially in tribal areas. But as certain issues are more accepted in tribal areas like unwed motherhood or female headed households and their society has a matrilineal structure rather than a patriarchal one. But the above mentioned facts do not ensure egalitarian towards the tribal women. The notion that tribal women are less discriminated than their rural and urban counterparts is partly true as their society or community is more tolerant but a tribal woman is more discriminated in any given state or nation. Women in Odisha be it tribal women in particular or women in general have been facing discriminatory behavior in all aspects of life especially violence. And recently acts of violence against women have multiplied and are worryingly on the rise. One such issue that stems many times out of violence is unwed motherhood. This issue is plaguing the young female citizens in Odisha and is alarmingly on the rise.