Socio-economic status of widow women (A sociological study in Pokhara ward No.11)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the socio-economic status of widow women. For this purpose, out of 100 respondents 80 widow women of age 20 to above 60 years from Pokhara metropolitan city ward no. 11 were interviewed purposively by using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used for the analysis of the data. Majority of widow women were from age group of 41 to 50 years. Majority of them were illiterate and deprived from the political, social and economic participation. Major problems faced by the widow women are economic hardship, family violence (especially mental stress given by their family and society), less freedom, deprivation of the social and economic rights and participations, less decision-making roles and so on. Further, the majority of the widow women had very little freedom to do something and go somewhere. It is also found that the land ownership has been transferred to them but it is due to legal provision after the death of husbands only. Various study shows that the socio-economic status of widow women in Nepal is very poor. The women are being discriminated in every aspect of the society. A woman who is a widow is discriminated, abused, harassed and deprived of social and economic rights, including property rights. There are many cases of young widows being vulnerable and victimized - both sexually and emotionally - within the family and in their communities. Religious beliefs, cultural values and social norms further prohibit the young widow women from taking part in any family or public activities. The interview schedule was structured based upon the socio-economic status of widows. As I continued my research, it was seen that maximum respondents didn’t answer openly due to cultural belief and practices. Widows hide their feelings, desire and be silent due to social fear, embarrassment, hate, family’s negative behaviors, etc. In conclusion, a very few of the widow had good socio-economic status.