Women Participation in Cooperative and its Impact on Their Status A Case Study of Kahu Deurali Multi-purpose Cooperative Ltd. Pokhara 11, Kaski

Abstract

This study has mainly concentrated to the impact and the level of participation and decision making role of women in cooperatives. Likewise, it has also tried to assess of cooperative on economy and household decision making in Kahu Deurali Multipurpose Co-operatives of the Pokhara -11, Kaski. Basically interview schedule and informal interview have been conducted for collecting data. Likewise, in-depth interview and case study methods have been adopted for the desirable information. Both types of data were incorporated however; the primary data were played a dominant role into drawing a valid conclusion. Some relevant and useful secondary data were also incorporated.

Men and women together have been forming cultural to nurture the human society globally. Men and women have shaped the society according to their need available resources to form social traditional which can change and has changed according to their own practice and availability from time to time. Diversified communities follow their own socio cultural norms and values.

On the basis of study finding uplift of women status process is determine by community setting, culture, family, education, age of marriage. Household roles and responsibility, enabling environment within the household, encouragement and support from family members, attitude and perception toward women, women in the community and socio economic status of the family mobility, time for creativeness and activities are also influence factors. Similarly empowerment process is influence by occupation, social institution, knowledge of legal right, training and skill, practice and strategic.

As per the survey result shows that participation of women in cooperatives is still low. Lack of awareness, culture, lack of access to information, work load in the house, lack of education, Through awareness creation, training and educational programs which are sensitive to women needs, cooperatives can help strengthen women's capacities and capabilities, resulting in their increased self-confidence and enabling them to participate fully in decision-making and assume leadership positions.

Therefore cooperatives should target on continuous education, training and information to all members in general and women members in particular. Active, equitable participation of members, both men and women, is a necessity for sustainable cooperative development. Active participation in the cooperative context means that members are involved in all the functions of cooperatives including planning, decision- making, implementation and financial and management control. Thus the cooperative play a vital role to uplift women status in several ways.