| Author | Rana, Kripa |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-11-09 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development--Nepal--Dadelhura
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-11-09 |
| Abstract | The understanding of culture has shifted from inert and restricted perspective of belief and customs to understanding it as an interpretation of shared meanings which is constantly surfacing over time through practices of symbolic representations which are in turn acted out publicly. So to understand cultural influences it is important to understand how culture, historical and social progression together impinge on women‘s life (Lampher et al. 1997). Thus, it is important to firstly comprehend the cultural practice itself and secondly to identify the associated actors, institutions and casual factors/elements that influence the cultural practice.
Chhaupadi Pratha (Practice) is a gendered cultural practice which confines women to animal shed during their menstrual cycle and after giving birth. It is one of the crudest from of cultural practice guided by the norms and beliefs which states that a woman during her menstrual cycle and after giving birth is ‗unclean‘ and ‗impure‘ and thus is prevented from taking part in many normal aspects of their daily lives.
This study will address the kinds of Chhaupadi Pratha (Practice) and simultaneous process of continuity and change of Chhaupadi practice, and has explored the reasons behind the influencing factors and socio-cultural norms of the Chhaupadi practice amongst the Dalit women of different age groups in Dadeldhura, Bhageswor Village Development Committee (VDC). The study‘s findings show that the majority of people are not ready to change or challenge their beliefs towards Chhaupadi practice and believe in giving continuity to its practice. Also, the influencing factors and the socio-cultural norms give way to continuity with some flexibility in change of mobility and clothing options. As a result, the old and the young Dalit women submit to the gendered cultural practice of Chhaupadi without much success in bringing about any visible change with rather little flexibility. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-11-02 |
| Type | Thesis |
| 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) | Resurreccion, Bernadette P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Donneys, Philippe;Sajor, Edsel E.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |