Author: Nisha Onta
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-07-06
Year: 2007
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2007
Examination Committee: Bernadette P. Resurreccion (Chairperson); Barbara Earth, Philippe Doneys, Mokbul Morshed. Ahmad (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Culture plays an integral part in shaping ones behavior and attitudes. It is important to understand the layered meaning of culture and the effect of the interplay of culture, politics and historical events in the lives of women and men. Most researches on youth and adolescent has focused on their attitudes and behavior but has limited information on the cultural influences in their lives. In the research conducted by Stone, Ingham and Simkhada regarding knowledge of sexual health issues among unmarried young people in Nepal, it was found that young women who practiced Hinduism were significantly less likely to respond with the correct answer to question regarding the proper use of condom. How does religion affect the agency of young women, in this case, in terms of accessing information regarding reproductive health? In order to answer the above question, Young Newar women between the ages of 19-24 were taken as the target group. Newar’s are inhabitants of Kathmandu valley and are very active in the recent radical uprising of ethnic identity in Nepal. The Cult of living goddess, Kumari is also a unique and highly debated tradition between the human rights advocates and the conservatives of the Newar community. The issue has also been highly politicized and it is also presented as an issue of ethnic identity by Newar community leaders and Newar political groups. Thus, the research focused on trying to understand how the cultural issues such as the -Cult of Kumari influence the agency of young Newar women. Inductive strategy was used with tools such as focus group discussion and in depth interview. With primary data from the young women, their mothers and Newar community leaders, it was discovered that the lives of young women are highly influenced by the actions of their mothers. Mothers were identified as the reproducer of cultural capital and the enforcer of restrictions in the lives of young women. Due to the lack of enabling environment the young women had limited knowledge of issues that affect their live
Scholarship Donor(s): Noiway- GDS Project – AIT Fellowship
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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