Livelihood diversification from the gender perspective a case study of Darai community at Mangalpur VDC of Chitwan valley, Nepal | |
| Author | Acharya, Bindu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-03-04 |
| Subject(s) | Households Economic aspects Nepal Home economics Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of master of science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-03-04 |
| Abstract | This study was undertaken to analyze the factors that encourage livelihood diversification for non-farm activities among women and men in Darai community. It examined the effects of livelihood diversification for non-farm livelihood on women and men. The field study was conducted from January to March of 2003 in Manalpur VDC, Chitwan district of Nepal. Three villages (Mangalpur, Mohanpur and Dhadaghari) from Mangalpur VDC were selected purposively. Proportionate random sampling technique was used for household survey. A total of 60 households were selected from three villages. Among 60 households, 30 households with male heads of household and 30 were with female heads of household. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions on both women and men were conducted separately to accomplish the study objectives. Key informant interviews were also performed to triangulate with the information given by respondents. Secondary information was collected from various sources to support additional literature for the study. Gender analysis framework was used in focus group discussion to find out the division of labor and agricultural cropping calendar. The study shows that there are many factors influencing women's livelihoods diversification such as patriarchy, skills, and access to communication and information. Due to patriarchy, it is perceived that male members in the household and society are the main authorized persons who primarily have access to new opportunities and benefit largely from resources. As a result, they have been able to acquire new and improved skills, access to communication and information. Men are mostly household heads and they make important decisions in the household. They work outside their household and village without any restriction from society. In contrast, women's livelihoods are constrained by various kinds of factors such as gender norms, illiteracy, a narrow labor market for sub-contracted work, child-care and household responsibilities and lack of access and control over assets and earnings. Due to these socio-economic and cultural barriers, involvement of women in non-farm activity is very low than men. Those women, who have been successful with non-farm activities, have faced many obstacles. But they have succeeded in their occupation due to their independent decision, education, financial resources (pewa money), less reproductive work and responsibilities and a few opportunities for sub-contracted work. This study manifests that those women whose husbands are not present at home or are free from male domination were highly motivated to diversify their livelihoods into non-farm activities than women with husbands. The generating of cash income independently from their private (pewa) livestock and acquisition of basic education built their self-confidence and ability which appeared to be leading them to independently make decisions without the support from husbands and other family members. The another influencing factor for women was poverty. They have been forced to explore alternative sources of income to meet their children's basic requirements. They are also satisfied with their non-farm occupation but their burden of domestic drudgery has not scaled down. The non-farm occupation such as small shop and construction work and local alcohol production have added to their stack of work, but it also provides them more income. |
| Year | 2003 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-03-04 |
| 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) | Kusakabe, Kyoko;Routray, J ayant K. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Joint Japan;World Bank Graduate scholarship Progra; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003 |