Decision Making Role of Married Tharu Women in Their Household (A Case Study in Punarwas, Kanchanpur, Nepal)

Abstract

The general perception in Nepalese society is women should remain inside the boundary of house and engaged in household core. They were mainly given three roles or responsibility i.e. rearing, bearing and caring. The Tharu women of far western, they don’t have access to their rights as education, health and economy. Women are highly dominated by men; this is due to the system of patriarchy. The decision made by women is not given more valuable or considered properly. They have still not enjoyed with their rights and basic needs. Because of this, the socio- economic condition is in despicable situations. Similar situation may prevail among the Tharu community. Therefore, this study is focused to address the socio-economic condition of married Tharu women in kailali ward no.5 of far western region. This study tries to focus on socio-economic status of Married Tharu women and decision-making role in household activities. The respondents were taken from Punarwas of Kanchanpur District which lies in Province No.8 of federal structure of Nepal. All together total of 50 respondents were taken for this study. The primary data are collected from the study area by direct interview with married tharu women using the questionnaire. In this study the respondents (Married Tharu Women) are age group of 18-60 years. Only few of the respondents they are literate. In case of Tharu women decision making has not been practiced by most of them. Due to their tradition and culture, they are forced to marry at early age. During the study period, it is seen that women in Tharu community have less participation in decision making; be it the political and social activities or the economic activities. Majorities of respondents they are not involved in political and social programs, this is due to the lack of education. Majority of the respondents they are not considered as the head of the family. Respondent’s husband and in-laws were considered as the head of the family. The main sources income of the respondents they have bank account to save their income but 61 percent of respondent have rights to use their own accounts. Only few of respondents got training on women’s empowerment. In this 21 vi st century also the respondents (Married Tharu Women) they have still the practice to visit the Gurwa (Priest) and so many other alternatives when the fall in sick. In this study the respondents reported that the main cause of women was being deprived in society are due to lack of knowledge, lack of awareness and due to traditional and culture evils etc. This is because of our Patriarchy and lack of education.