Socio-Economic Status of Women A Sociological Study of Waling Municipality, Ward No.7, Syangja"

Abstract

ABBTRACT Background : The role of Women has great importance in terms of socio-economic development. In Nepal, like in other developing countries, the status of women is low. Male dominated family system provides very little scope for the females to assert their identity. They are marginalized from economic and social opportunities due to illiteracy poverty and conservation of benefit from developmental activities among men and women and how to create an environment for equal participation of men and women in family decision making process. Hence this study tries to find out the prevailing condition of Nepalese women.

PROBLEMS Women play a major role in the economic activities. Generally the domestic chores as well as agriculture work done by women is not considered in the national income estimation. Women's access to economic resources and control over it is less because of legal discriminatory property rights. It is our fact that women work enough but their income is very low. Nepal, being a male dominated country, the women's social and economic status has been found very week. Nepali women are among the worst with exclusionary practices embedded in society from the time they are born. Women and girls in Nepal face discrimination in access to health, education, employment in all other areas. In addition, they are victims of rigid customs and traditions that perpetuate their disadvantage. Weak Judicial System fails to uphold women's right and struggling economy provides opportunities predominantly for men. This study has tried to raise the following research questions during research. 1. What are the socio-economic characteristics of women of the study area? 2. What is the role of the women in decision making in the study area? 3. What are the main problems faced by women in society? 4. What is the role of women in providing economic support to the family?

Objectives The study entitled socio-economic status of women. A sociological study of Waling Municipality, Ward-7, Syangja aims at tracing the socio-economic status of women there. The fieldwork of this study was carried out from July 16th to 25th July 2009 at Ward 7 Waling Municipality in Syangja district. The specific objectives of this study were: • To examine the socio-demographic status of women in the society of study areas. • To analyze the economic role of women in society of study area and suggest for upliftment.

Research Methods Total population of Waling Municipality is about 20414 (Population Census 2050). Total household in this Ward is 405 and Ward No. 7 is defined as the study among the 992 female populations 482 women were married in this village, only married women were selected for study. On the basic of caste or ethnic groups, structure of this municipality random sampling of 17% households were selected in which 48 married women were interviewed. Both qualitative as well as quantitative methodology have been used to make the research successful. Both primary and secondary data have been used in the study. Mainly the interview schedule technique was applied to collect the interview as well as qualitative data. Besides, the informant interview was conducted separately with six key persons of the village and observation method was used together for the remaining information. Finally, the results were descriptively analyzed, using descriptive statistical tools and techniques. Result Findings. • The majority of respondents were Brahmnins (52%) followed by Dalit (6%), Kshetri (19%), Magar (17%) and Gurung (6%). Dalit women were found to be most deprived group in the area. • The majority of the respondents were found illiterate (62%). The main source of livelihood in the study area is agriculture (55%), only 8% respondents were involved in business and 6% respondents were involved in job. • In this study among the total respondents (12%) of women get married before 14 years old and (51%) were 15-20 years old, 34% were 21-25 years old and (3%) 26-30 years old. • Among the total 57% women were married by their parents and relatives decision and 35% women take decision by self and they married in their 8% were by friends and others. • In the study area women are suffering from superstitious beliefs and social discrimination. So the literacy rate is lower in this area. • In this village it is found more women are illiterate (45%) women were illiterate because of being a daughter (37%), due to access of school (11%) women's family condition were poor so they couldn't attend the school and (8%) were illiterate due to the reasons like early marriage, lack of interest etc. • In the study area 29 households (60%) of the families are of Nuclear type, only 19 households 40% of the families are found Joint. • It is found that more women were interested about small size of the family. Highest percentage of the families 44% found to be small size, 37% of the sampled families are found medium and 19% are found large size. • The fertility rate among the married women of this village was found low due to the awareness of family planning. • In this study area involvement of women in social activities found good 46% of the respondents were member of mother group. • More than half of the respondents 55% were involved both in household chores and agriculture, 31% of the respondents were involved in household chores only 8% respondents were involved in business and 6% respondents were involved in Job. • In this study area, 62% respondents main source of family income is agriculture and service/ job is the main source of income for 9% of the respondents. Likewise 9% respondents were engaged in business and 20% were engaged in labour and other sources. • Men took major economic decisions in the study site. So, the status of women's economic independence was found very low. Women in financial contribution to their family were very small than the women having no access to financial contribution women were far from saving the income for their personal expenditure. • In family level decision making large percentage 45% of the respondents were found to be partially in decision making but final decision making power rests upon male members of the family. Some respondents were 17% fully involved in decision making of simple issues and 38% respondents were not found to be involved in decision making on the important issues of the family. • Among the five caste/ ethnicity women, the problem is more serious among Dalit women. Their choices are extremely limited both by lack of assets and powerlessness to negotiate with both formal and informal institutions. They have a less access in training and organization than Brahmin, Kshetri, Magar, Gurung women. Recommendations/Suggestions: • The study area is victimized by high rate of illiteracy due to which women's social awareness is lacking behind. So the concerned authorities must introduce programs for raising awareness to the women. • Low age of marriage tends to be cause of lower education. The legal minimum age at marriage for female should be increased. • Religion also influences the women's status and change must brought above by women themselves on the traditions, culture values and customs which helps themselves to boost up their status in society they belong. • There must be campaign of education on illiteracy through the medium of non formal education in rural areas by the government coordinating with various NGO and INGO's involving in this field. • Women participation is the important factor to uplift women. Government should bring effective women participation program and it will support them to raise the decision making power with in the household as well as in society. • Co-operation of family members and related institution/ agencies play key role in raising women status. So, women must be given the opportunities. So as to prove themselves independent and self-reliant. • The context of training for women should not be confine only on basic training. New area of locally viable skill development training should be innovated through the advanced. • Maximizing the women's role to make them equally participate in decision making at local level should be target of every related agencies and institutions. • Dalit women need special concern for their livelihood and empowerment. So, skill development and cash earning programmes should be launched in their community. The land owner should be encouraged to provide land for landless farmers. • Women's participation in polities must be increased so that women take active participation in local level decision making and their level of confidence increases which ultimately improves their status in the family and society. • Women empowerment programmes and seminar skill development and programmes should be launched and access of Dalit women should be increased in these programmes.