Untouchable Food for Untouchable Women. The Inclusion and Exclusion of Women and their Children in the Public Distribution System and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Block Jaisinagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Abstract

This research is based on a field study in Block Jaisinagar, Madhya Pradesh (MP), India and analyses to what extent the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Mid-Day Meals Scheme (MMS) help women and their children to improve their food and nutrition security (FNS) sit-uation. The effective functioning of the food schemes with regards to inclusion and exclusion of High Caste, Dalit and Tribal women and the access and utilisation of food are assessed. The field work has been conducted with the support of Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN), an Indian grassroots implementation and support organisation committed to promote sustainable and self-reliant models of rural development. This thesis will argue that the PDS and MMS do not function efficiently enough and that the most vulnerable population groups – Dalit and Tribal women and children – often face major problems in the access to the food schemes due to low financial and social capital, frequently resulting in their exclusion. There are incidents of High Caste women having higher financial capital and social status who bribe officials responsible for the schemes to be included and thus have a favourable position in the PDS. Dalit and Tribal women are further denied the position of the MMS cook, as caste-based social exclusion and discrimination prevails in the research area and also affects Dalit children during the food distribution in the MMS. The food schemes thus fail to guarantee the right to food to everyone and to those who depend on it the most.