One of the most meaningful parts of my work has been developing a policy brief focused on tribal women artisans in Kerala. My research has led me to ask not only how economic policies shape their livelihoods, but also how we define “development” in the first place.
In a conversation with the CEO of Forest Post, I gained a deeper understanding of the lived realities facing many of these communities. She explained that while millions of dollars have been allocated toward programs aimed at supporting tribal families, the initiatives often fail to align with the community’s own epistemologies — the ways of knowing and living that are rooted in their deep relationship with the land.
What struck me most was her observation about the undervaluing of traditional knowledge about nature. These women hold generations of ecological expertise, yet development models frequently dismiss this wisdom in favor of external frameworks. The result, paradoxically, is that well-funded projects can leave communities feeling alienated rather than empowered.
This disconnection doesn’t just remain at the policy level — it has tangible social consequences. When development ignores tribal epistemologies, it fractures community cohesion and can fuel cycles of disempowerment, such as rising rates of alcoholism. Instead of strengthening communities, the policies meant to help often destabilize them.
Writing this policy brief is not just an academic exercise for me. It’s about amplifying voices that are too often left out of the policy-making process and recognizing that sustainable development must begin with listening. True support for tribal women means honoring their knowledge, centering their perspectives, and ensuring that policy is not something imposed on them but created with them.