Gender dimension of conflict-induced internal displacement in Nepal | |
| Author | Yadav, Punam Kumari |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-07-13 |
| Subject(s) | Sex role--Nepal Forced migration--Nepal Internally displaced persons--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-07-13 |
| Abstract | Internal displacement is one of the most tragic phenomena of the contemporary world affecting millions of people and the larger portion of these internally displaced population (IDPs) consists of women and children. Conflict-induced displacement is posing major human rights and humanitarian challenges in Nepal today. Thousands of Nepalese have been displaced during the 10 years of armed conflict. This study is an attempt to explore gender dimensions of conflict-induced internal displacement focusing on: livelihood strategy of the displaced people and changing gender roles, gender based violence and coping strategy, gender differential impact of conflict, psychological trauma and its impact on gender relations, impact of changing gender roles in gender relations. Perceptions of men and women on their present roles and its long-ternm implications have also been explored. The study was conducted among Fifteen different cases in Kathmandu valley. Key informant interview was conducted to locate the IDPs and to know their perception on IDPs and its gender concerns. Similarly, informal discussions with different members of the selected IDP families were also conducted to triangulate the information followed by non-participant observation to capture their living conditions and collect information, which was not covered during interviews. The study revealed that IDPs have adopted various livelihood strategies in the city and women were introduced into the labour market. There was shift in gender roles after displacement showing no clear demarcation of traditional gender roles for women and men. Sonic women IDPs were forced into the sex trade which would not have happened if they lived in the village. Women were also facing violence at different levels - domestic and work place. Violence at work place has become a major reason for women to choose sex work as a profession. Though the displaced women have been facing domestic violence they did not want to talk about it as they perceived it as their personal problem. Due to the changing gender roles among IDPs there have been changes in gender relations. IDPs were suffering from psychological trauma and it had negative impact on gender relations. Though women experienced displacement more acutely than men, they were not always affected negatively. There were sonic positive impacts of displacement as well, such as they were more mobile and active than before; their self-esteem was elevated and they were able to survive in difficult situations. There were changes in power relation as well because women had more access in decisionmaking. The study also revealed that women and men both were happy with their present roles and they opined that there would be some changes in the traditional gender roles and relations even if they go back to their home villages |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-07-13 |
| 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) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Doneys, Philippe;Shivakoti, Ganesh P;Earth, Barbara; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | JAPAN; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |