Life in Veil : The Position of Maithil Women in Hindu Society

Abstract

This study deals with the position of Maithili women of Khoria village at Chandra Ayodhyapur VDC of Siraha District. Maithili society is an inegaliterian and sexually stratified societies where women in general have lower status than men. Women have no independent existence and women's social position is entirely defined by her father's husband's or son's status. The tendency to patrilineal dominance, through general throughout Nepal is particularly strong in Maithili society. The general objective of this study is an attempt to depict the Maithili socio-cultural system in its totality and assess the position of women from different angles economic, social, cultural, religious and political by examining women from different economic strata. However the specific objectives of this study are: To examine the socio-cultural position of Maithili women, to examine the economic participation of Maithili Women and to assess the power and authority in terms of ownership, household decision making and involvement in political process. For the study the extensive field visit has been conducted in the study area. Hence, the findings and recommendations of this study may not be applicable in other places. It is based on primary data along with available pertinent secondary data. Multi-methodological approaches have been applied for data generation. For primary data generation, household’s survey, informal interview from key-informant and Focus group discussion method were applied. Besides these, time allocation study technique was used to get the data on economic participation of women. This study was carried out on the basis of exploratory and descriptive research design. The deep rooted cultural practices, custom, social systems in the context of position of women are described in detail with the help of descriptive research design and the economic, political position of Maithili women are explored through exploratory research design. It is clear that Maithili society is more inegaliterian and sexually stratified society based on Hindu philosophy and strict caste system. On the status scale composed of economic, socio-cultural cum religious and political indicators, Maithili women in general are be far below men. Culturally they are regarded as inferior than male and accorded a lower position in society. They are not allowed to take part in many socio-cultural activities like death ritual of relatives. The educational status of Maithili women are very low compared to male member of this society. Marriage is compulsory for women in Maithili society. For women, besides the social need to produce progeny, marriage is also seen as primary means of livelihood for women. Even these days, dowry system is integral part of Maithili marriage which not only demoralized women socially but brings a lot of physical and mental torture for women. Maithili women have very low scale of freedom. They have very little freedom in behavior pattern i.e. speech, eating habit, choice of marriage partner, choice of association. The purdah system, the traditional system of preserving purity, has further helped to exploit the women. In Maithili society the inheritance system is patrilineal and males of a patriline inherit all property, both landed and movable. Women's involvement in decision making process is very low. They participate in only minor affairs of household. The major decisions on the family affairs are taken solely by male member of family. The participation of women in political process in Maithili society is very low There are some recommendations have been made on the basis of problem identified in this study. Several studies have shown that women's increased control over income, and with it increased control over the allocation of household resource, leads to improve health and nutrition of not only for women, but also for their children as well. Increase in agricultural productivity fulfill many basic need of women and improve household condition which directly influence the health and nutrition of women. It is important note that to improve the status of women, women have to be drawn out of the household and into market activity. Social movement should be launched against the many prevalent custom like dowry system, purdah system, domestic violence, witch accusation system, etc. to improve the social status of women.