| Author | Onta, Nisha |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-07-06 |
| Subject(s) | Women, Newar--Nepal--Kathmandu
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-07-06 |
| Abstract | Culture plays an integral part in shaping ones behavior and attitudes. It is important to understand the layered meaning of culture and the effect of the interplay of culture, politics and historical events in the lives of women and men. Most researches on youth and adolescent has focused on their attitudes and behavior but has limited information on the cultural influences in their lives. In the research conducted by Stone, Ingham and Simkhada regarding knowledge of sexual health issues among unmarried young people in Nepal, it was found that young women who practiced Hinduism were significantly less likely to respond with the correct answer to question regarding the proper use of condom. How does religion affect the agency of young women, in this case, in terms of accessing information regarding reproductive health? In order to answer the above question, Young Newar women between the ages of 19-24 were taken as the target group. Newar's are inhabitants of Kathmandu valley and are very active in the recent radical uprising of ethnic identity in Nepal. The Cult of living goddess, Kumari is also a unique and highly debated tradition between the human rights advocates and the conservatives of the Newar community. The issue has also been highly politicized and it is also presented as an issue of ethnic identity by Newar community leaders and Newar political groups. Thus, the research focused on trying to understand how the cultural issues such as the -Cult of Kumari influence the agency of young Newar women. Inductive strategy was used with tools such as focus group discussion and in depth interview. With primary data from the young women, their mothers and Newar community leaders, it was discovered that the lives of young women are highly influenced by the actions of their mothers. Mothers were identified as the reproducer of cultural capital and the enforcer of restrictions in the lives of young women. Due to the lack of enabling environment the young women had limited knowledge of issues that affect their lives such as various rituals and about reproductive health issues. Their subordinate position in the household was one of the main reasons for their unquestioning and complying behavior. Even with strict restrictions and limited enabling environment young women were found to exercise their agency and choose strategies accordingly. But these strategies are in the realm of the unquestioned consensus that is dictated by their culture and Newar caste. Thus the actions and behavior of young Newar women are highly influence by the tradition and rituals of their culture including the cult of Kumari which is perpetuated and reinforced by their cultural guardians, their mothers |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-07-06 |
| 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.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Earth, Barbara;Doneys, Philippe;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Noiway- GDS Project - AIT Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |