Socio- Economic Status of Safa Tempo Female Driver: A Case Study of Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Women play a multiple role in Nepali society. They not only play the reproductive role of a caregiver of the past, present and future generations, they also contribute to the overall income of the household in cash and kind. In the context of a modern and developing Nepal, they have also been taking the lead to development activities to the community in addition to upholding their traditional, religious and cultural roles in the larger society. Nepalese women’s political, economic and social status has generally improved in the past few decades, resulting in better educational and employment opportunities. They often face domestic violence and harassment with no legal resources, as paternalism and gender discrimination is deeply entrenched in society. The women face double burdens at home as well as at other working place. This is due to the continuing dominance of the patriarchal value system which originates from the culture that always considers women inferior to men. The research work entitled “The Status of Safa Tempo Female Driver” has been done in Kathmandu Valley with the purpose of examining the fact and realities of women tempo driver working in the different tempo routes of Kathmandu valley and to asses to socioeconomic conditions brought about by the driving profession.

The research methodology of the study is precisely based on descriptive and exploratory methods and accidental sampling technique has been adopted. For the above methods, survey questionnaire schedule has been designed to conduct research.

The research shows that majority of women are enthusiastic in continuing the driving profession. The majority of the women are from Buddhist religion (47.5%). It is explored that 50% are Single and 15% divorced women drive the tempo. As for the education, 15% women are illiterate while the others in this profession are literate (formal and informal education). The family occupation of the drivers is agriculture (80%). Rest proportion family supported the profession in different degree. Truly, the reason of turning into tempo drivers is economic. Theirs monthly income comes to be about Rs. 7090.90. 40 % respondents make expenses on family well being and 60% make saving too. By this profession, women have emerged economically active and have found encouragement for self- dependence and face challenges equal to men.