Author: Lorina Sthapit
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-13-04
Year: 2013
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M. Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2013
Examination Committee: Bernadette P. Resurreccion (Chairperson); Philippe Doneys, Clemens Grunbuhel (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The unique feature of Nepal’s 10 yeararmed conflict was the participation of women as Maoist guerilla fighters who fought alongside men for equality. However, the post-conflict reintegration process led by the government and the UN did not take into account the gendered socio-economic conditions of the male and female Maoist ex-combatants. Therefore, the focus of this research is the challenges of the male and female Maoist ex-combatants in the post-conflict Nepal from a gender viewpoint. The findings of this research claimthe existence ofgender-specific stigmasof male and female ex-combatants including the double stigma of the female ex-combatants.Similarly,the findingsimply that because of lack of skill, education, assets and social capital, the ex-combatants are facing livelihood difficulties such as unemployment. Femaleex-combatants were seen as being particularly vulnerable because of the persisting patriarchal society in Nepalthat restricts women’s choices, mobility and opportunities.The findings also show that male and female ex-combatants displayed gender-specific responses to these challenge in lack of options andlimited external support. On the positive side,however,the results revealed the constructive actions of the ex-combatants in response to the lack of adequate and effective external support: female respondents’ initiative to learn marketable skills and to gain education degrees and the collective initiative ofmale respondents to bring an agriculture and economic ‘revolution.The inferences drawn form this study indicate that stigmas and livelihood difficulties are inversely associated with reintegration.In addition, gender-specific stigmas and livelihood related struggles areinterlocked with social structures that determine gender roles and norms. The research argues that thesocio-economic challengesthat the male and female Maoist ex-combatants are facing a
Scholarship Donor(s): Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarship for the Asian Environment Development Program, Government of Thailand
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degreeof Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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