Citation

Tokle M. Focus Gend. 1994; 2(1): 37-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Oxfam)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12287938

Abstract

Women in India after the earthquake are afraid. They are paralyzed by insecurity about another earthquake occurring and are unable to work or rebuild. The sowing was delayed, and a crop failure is possible. Nurses and gynecologists are unavailable to treat those with health problems made worse by the tension. Bathrooms and latrines are absent in most of the camps. A full bath is permitted only once every 15 days. Tankers supply water to some, but not all, villages. Those last in line go without water and children bathe in puddles. Destitute women and widows have no emotional or economic support; the help they do receive is taken by neighbors or relatives. Without money or food in the present situation, women are skeptical about the future of their children, particularly their education. Fearing that they will become beggars or be killed in another earthquake if they remain, the mothers are sending their children to the cities to attend school. Skilled and unskilled workers face unemployment in the village. Since their temporary shelters have no doors, they are unable to leave them to seek employment outside. There is a belief among many of the women that the earthquake is the first of a series that will be sent in punishment for their sins in this life or previous lives, ending in total destruction of the villages. Uncertainty, instability, and illiteracy are the roots of this belief.

Language: en