Role of self-help groups in empowering disabled women : the case of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal | |
| Author | Dhungana, Bishnu Maya |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.GD-09-02 |
| Subject(s) | Disabilities--Nepal--Kathmandu Valley Women with disabilities--Nepal--Kathmandu Valley |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. GD-09-02 |
| Abstract | Qualitative interviews with 58 women ─ aged between 19-47 years and experiencing congenital and acquired disabilities (hearing, phys ical and visual) ─ from five SHGs were conducted in January–June 2006. They had come fr om both Kathmandu and other parts of the country. In order to uplift the socio-economic status of the ir members, SHGs of disabled women developed their social skills such as communication skills, learning skills, self- management skills, team skills and independent livi ng skills. SHGs encouraged their members to live in groups, which allowed them to bu ild their abilities to manage household chores by themselves. After developing the social skills of their members, SHGs focused on conducting vocational training, pro viding credit and job placement and preparing them for the job interview, thereby contr ibuting to the professional development of disabled women. This study found that economic empowerment is extre mely important for disabled women, especially in a country like Nepal, where there is no state support for the disabled, and where women in general lack economic opportunities. SHGs have been successfully playing this crucial role, although there exist som e limitations. On the other hand, the study discovered that the role of SHGs is equally o r even more effective in empowering their members socially. Social empowerment is essen tial for disabled women to build up their inner strength, continue their struggle and m ake themselves visible in the society. The social skills learnt and independent income earned by the women helped them to be self- reliant, provide mutual support and solidarity to o ne another, increase their mobility, expand their social contact/networks and gain great er self-confidence. As women gained self-confidence, they got more involved and felt mo re open and comfortable in talking to their families about their disabilities that previo usly used to cause them embarrassment. Such social empowerment also helped women to start family life which is very important, as disabled women are considered incapable of perfo rming the traditionally expected roles of women. The study revealed that organizing disabled women i n SHGs is important to obtain them mutual support and self-confidence and build social network and ultimately gain them economic independence. However, this process is d ifficult and time-consuming and many limitations are encountered along the way. Not all members do understand or appreciate the social empowerment process without which econom ic empowerment can become more difficult. Even if they understand or appreciate it in some cases, poor members are not able to continue their membership with SHGs without any economic support and drop out before they are able to benefit from the empowermen t process of the SHGs. Thus, urgent economic needs keep the most needy women out of SHG s. iv The study recommends that SHGs of disabled women sh ould not be seen as merely a vehicle for economic empowerment, as most non-disab led women’s SHGs are often perceived. Rather, its social empowerment process s hould be recognized and supported so that more disabled women are able to participate in the whole process of social and economic empowerment that SHGs are enabling. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. GD-09-02 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Perera, L.A.S. Ranjith ;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed ;Sim, Cecilia Ng Choon; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Norway ;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship ;Olga D. Murray; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |