Author: Bindu Acharya
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-03-04
Year: 2003
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2003
Examination Committee: Bernadette P. Resurreccion (Chairperson); Kyoko Kusakabe, Jayant Kumar Routray (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: This study was undertaken to analyze the factors that encourage livelihood diversification for non-farm activities among women and men in Darai community. It examined the effects of livelihood diversification for non-farm livelihood on women and men. The field study was conducted from January to March of 2003 in Manalpur VDC, Chitwan district of Nepal. Three villages (Mangalpur, Mohanpur and Dhadaghari) from Mangalpur VDC were selected purposively. Proportionate random sampling technique was used for household survey. A total of 60 households were selected from three villages. Among 60 households, 30 households with male heads of household and 30 were with female heads of household. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions on both women and men were conducted separately to accomplish the study objectives. Key informant interviews were also performed to triangulate with the information given by respondents. Secondary information was collected from various sources to support additional literature for the study. Gender analysis framework was used in focus group discussion to find out the division of labor and agricultural cropping calendar. The study shows that there are many factors influencing women’s livelihoods diversification such as patriarchy, skills, and access to communication and information. Due to patriarchy, it is perceived that male members in the household and society are the main authorized persons who primarily have access to new opportunities and benefit largely from resources. As a result, they have been able to acquire new and improved skills, access to communication and information. Men are mostly household heads and they make important decisions in the household. They work outside their household and village without any restriction from society. In contrast, women’s livelihoods are constrained by various kinds of factors such as gender norms, illiteracy, a narrow labor market for sub-contracted work, child-care and household responsibilities and lack of access and control over assets an
Scholarship Donor(s): The Joint Japan; World Bank Graduate scholarship Program
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of master of science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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