Comparative Study of Women’s Role in Household Decision Making Activities by Caste (A Case Study of Mukundapur VDC, Nawalparasi District)

Abstract

The phrase “overworked and underpaid” is an appropriate description of women throughout the world. Women usually have lesser access to resources and benefits due to various socio cultural constraints. This stands out more glaringly in the developing countries where there is a clear demarcation of their roles and responsibilities and subsequently more prominent male domination. In most of the Asian countries women are merely respected in their role of mother and housekeeper. Women suffer from discriminatory practices in opportunities for education, health and so on. Hence this study is an attempt to study the power and participation level of women in Household decision making. This research is about Comparative Study of Women's Role in Household Decision Making Activities by Caste. Study area is Mukundapur VDC, Nawalparasi district. Main objective is to compare the women's decision status in household activities by caste.The sample size of the study paper is fifty. All respondents of study report are married women having school going child/children. Women from educated, uneducated,housewife, job holder, business and involved in agriculture are included as the respondents. They are selected by stratified sampling.Data collection is based on the primary and secondary source of data. The data were collected with the help of questionnaire method.All questionnaire were related to the decision making process in household activities. Data collection from key informant interview as well as field observation is selected in this study.This study revealed that most of the female are engaged in household activities as well as outside activities. While very few(4%) male are engaged in household activities. Males help their partner in household activities mostly when their partners are unable to work. Also,males do not think household activities as their duty. Child care and old ageing care is dependent totally on women in our country.There is no significant difference between castes. Few(16%)women have property ownership although the provision of revenge discount by government to register the land or house in the name of female at the time of purchasing.All women are not involved in division of work in household activities. But in comparison with these castes, in the educational sector,near about half of the respondents are below SLC (44%) while 34%are illiterate.Out of fifty respondents,Brahman\Chhetri women have high level of education where as Magar, Dalit and Tharu women have nil. There is difference between various caste women in education.In all these castes,male and female vi jointly enjoy to decide child education. In overall,women are suffered by social and cultural aspects. Husband's occupation, education and attitude also affect in women's status. The study also covered the factors that affect the decision-making level of women in their households. Majority of women reported that education is the most affecting factor that influences their decision making power. Educated women have more power and confidence in deciding serious matters in their household activities. Similarly it is found that the economic status of women also has a positive role in their decision making. Social norms are also such factors. However it is found that Brahmin women are pressurized by social norms and tradition than other women.There are lots of provision to enhance the capacity and capability of female in different sector as well as decision making sectors and gender balance. Budget allocation and policies should be applied in local, regional and national level on development of women.Female of different caste and ethnicity are in similar and there is vast disparities in their activities, so female friendly environment should be created in different sectors of development as well as participation and decision making process.All the stakeholders and related parties as well as line agencies in development should work to improve the status and quality of life female among different caste and ethnicity. Further research should be done addressing the different aspects of female and their living standard and their role and responsibilities in and outside the household to improve the quality and participation of female in different sectors along with providing quality education and better opportunities of employment.Overall, it can be said that women are still suffering from discriminatory practices in the society. They have a low status than men in their households. This study provides some practical recommendations which would lead to empower women and increase their participation level and increase their role in household decision making as well as their status in the whole society and nation.