Author: Bishnu Maya Dhungana
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss. no.GD-09-02
Year: 2009
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (Ph.D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2009
Examination Committee: Kyoko Kusakabe (Chairperson); L.A.S. Ranjith Perera, Mokbul Morshed Ahmad, Cecilia Ng Choon Sim (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Qualitative interviews with 58 women ─ aged between 19-47 years and experiencing congenital and acquired disabilities (hearing, phys ical and visual) ─ from five SHGs were conducted in January–June 2006. They had come fr om both Kathmandu and other parts of the country. In order to uplift the socio-economic status of the ir members, SHGs of disabled women developed their social skills such as communication skills, learning skills, self- management skills, team skills and independent livi ng skills. SHGs encouraged their members to live in groups, which allowed them to bu ild their abilities to manage household chores by themselves. After developing the social skills of their members, SHGs focused on conducting vocational training, pro viding credit and job placement and preparing them for the job interview, thereby contr ibuting to the professional development of disabled women. This study found that economic empowerment is extre mely important for disabled women, especially in a country like Nepal, where there is no state support for the disabled, and where women in general lack economic opportunities. SHGs have been successfully playing this crucial role, although there exist som e limitations. On the other hand, the study discovered that the role of SHGs is equally o r even more effective in empowering their members socially. Social empowerment is essen tial for disabled women to build up their inner strength, continue their struggle and m ake themselves visible in the society. The social skills learnt and independent income earned by the women helped them to be self- reliant, provide mutual support and solidarity to o ne another, increase their mobility, expand their social contact/networks and gain great er self-confidence. As women gained self-confidence, they got m
Scholarship Donor(s): Norway; Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; Olga D. Murray scholarship
Note: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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