Role of Women in Household Decision Making׃ A Case Study of Devdaha VDC of Rupandehi District, Nepal

Abstract

The study is prepared entitled “Role of Women in Household Decision Making: A Case Study of Devdaha VDC, Rupandehi” with main objective to examine the decision making role of women in Devdaha VDC, Rupandehi district. Beside this, other specific objectives were to classes out the factors that determine the household decision making and to explain women’s involvement in different activities at household level. This study was based on descriptive as well as explanatory research design. The present study was conducted among women aged 15-60 years and resident of Devdaha VDC of Rupandehi District. All the women aged 15-60 years were selected and defined as the population of this study. A structured questionnaire was prepared to collect the information related to different dimensions of the role of women in household decision-making. This study was limited to household decision making of women at Devdaha VDC in Rupandehi and confined to Nepalese women's participation scenario and the status of women in terms of household decision-making. Majority of the women were found depend on agriculture .Second occupation was service and business as the third occupation. Majority of the respondents were found from the nuclear family. Forty percent respondents were were from Brahmins followed by Chhetri (25 percent). The results show that 13.33 percent of male, 20 percent of female and 13.33 percent of both made decisions regarding purchase of rice. The study found that women were ahead in deciding to purchase of agricultural goods. They were actively participating in buying agricultural products but they were dominated by males in selling decisions. As regard to the decision related to the selection of crops to plant, male dominates except in case of rice variety. In the context of the decisions relating to education of the children sand buying of books and stationeries for children, most of the decisions were made by the males. Majority of the respondents replied that they had participated on deciding which school to admit their children together. The analysis indicates that the role of women goes on decreasing as the size of loan becomes bigger. Relating to the decision on participating in training programs, only few respondents stated that they themselves decided to join the training. Majority of them said that the final decision was made by husband and father in laws. Though (30-60) year's age group seems lower educational status but there decision-making power was found stronger than (15-30) year’s age group, it might be the reason of their experiences and maturity. Respondents with land ownership were found strong in decision-making power but who have no land in their own name were found weak. The study found that literate and educated women are involved in self decision making which reveals that 'higher the education, higher will be the decision making power. From the analysis of data it has been concluded that women in Devdaha VDC are positively involved in communication about household matters, conversely there was low participation of women in household decision making.