Report of Fact-Finding Conducted in Sonitpur District (Assam)

In recognition of the dire state of reproductive health care in Assam, HRLN developed and carried out a successful training in Guwahati on reproductive rights and the law in January 2011. The training was aimed to raise awareness about reproductive rights for adolescent girls by addressing an audience of college students, activists, NGOs and health workers. After discussions with grassroots health workers and activists, it emerged that the conditions of health facilities and services in Tea Estates (hereafter TE) are extremely poor and inadequate. Being private entities, tea gardens are not monitored nor are directly bound to provide health care. TE’s workers, most of whom are Adivasis from nearby states of Orissa and Jharkhand, face major difficulties in accessing basic services such as education and adequate nutrition. In addition, working conditions are often in contravention with constitutional obligations, with child labor widespread and casual laborers receiving only Rs. 30 a day.