A Study on Educational and Political Status of Tamang Women (A Case Study on Currently Married Tamang Women of Bishnu Budhanilkanth VDC of Kathmandu District)

Abstract

This study is an analysis of “A Study On Education And Political Status Of Tamang Women; A Case Study on Currently Married Tamang Women of Bishnu Budhanilkanth VDC of Kathmandu District”. The objective of this study is to perceive the phenomena of educational and political status and decision-making power of currently married women in each sector of household activities. The specific objectives are to identify the social and economic conditions, marriage pattern as a cultural factor and belief in faith healer as a traditional customs. Purposive sampling method of probably sampling design to select the research area is taken for this study. There were 100 women of currently married of 15-49 age groups in total. Therefore, all they were taken as universe sample for the study that could represent the situation of whole VDC.

Face to face, interview with the help of structured and open-ended questionnaires to obtain qualitative data and structured and semi-structured questionnaire were distributed to the concerned respondents to collect the quantitative information. Collected quantitative data are presented with percentage in simple and cross table along with essential narration, and qualitative information are explained in descriptive way in paragraphs.

Women play the catalyst role for household decision-making in the family. However, as far as the matter of decision making beyond family is seen very low. Male is the centre of the family and decision maker who make decision for economic, social sectors and in other major sector like mostly dominating the village level decision and meetings. Looking at the overall participation of women in village level, women’s participation was not remarkable due to hesitation, illiteracy, and unawareness. Although, patriarchal domination found in research area is not so strict in Tamang community, but they self do not want to involve in any political and socio-economic functions.

However, they found to be involved in socio-cultural functions like marriage ceremonies, rice feeding, head shaving, and death rituals openly. Majority of respondents in research area found to be involved in agriculture sector. Literacy rate in women found 57 percent. Overall, decision-making role of male and female was in ratio of 55:45. Therefore, literacy rate and decision-making power of women found satisfied. All most of people of that VDC believed on faith healer more than doctor still yet. If someone falls into sick, first they visit the faith healer to identify that what happened and what will they have to do immediately. Therefore, conservative feeling and customs are still deeply rooted in Tamang community. Due to these conservative thinking and practice, still, they are pushing down to backward and involvement in upper house decision and policy-making level is still in zero percent. It has found in Nepal especially in Tamang caste that more than 66 percent are still illiterate and more than 61 percent are under the poverty line according to NLSS, 2004.