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Discussion Topic: Stereotypes: Let’s not define Gender Role
“Women are to cater to the needs of the family” is the most common challenge that is entrenched among various hierarchies of Nepalese society from elite groups to underprivileged ones. With time, things are changing for good, as women and girls are eagerly taking up unprecedented opportunities in terms of education, jobs, financial independency, freedom, independent decision making etc. However, because of the well-established gender roles in Nepali society, women who are already doing jobs are still taking on most of the household and familial duties plus caring responsibilities. This Inequality in domestic work or “chore gap” can lead to feelings of unhappiness, anxiety and low self-esteem in women. In terms of empowering women, it is equally necessary to remove unfairness in the division of household labour in our traditional Nepali society.
The above is one view of GBV, presented to promote thought and discussion around the topic. The views expressed in the discussion topic does not necessarily reflect the views of the project or its team members.
The remoteness of a place embroiled with poverty, lack of awareness and financial dependency has been plaguing the empowerment of women in Karnali (which is one of the most remote and neglected regions of Nepal). RAP3MHLR’s programme policy, to ensure and welcome the participation of women in the construction work as RMG, RBG, SMG members has been a marked social change. Women who used to confine themselves within their household chores are now making earning of their own. However, sometimes under the notion of predefined gender roles, women have to deliver extra work in the form of household chores in addition to road construction/maintenance work. This has happened because we as a society are still carrying forward the idea of gender roles which in this case is, that women are to solely take care of household chores, even today when time and factors have changed remarkably.
RAP3 MHLR is continuously making an effort in raising awareness among the workers that we do not have to abide by the unfairly defined gender roles that have a negative effect on the growth of both women and men. And, we have actually witnessed change in our working districts, however in small scale, where men have also started sharing household chores which they did not do before. A small wave of change has already been created and for this wave to progress further, everyone from every sector needs to join hands.
What is your view on changing stereotype/gender roles in Nepalese society? Let’s discuss.
RAP3MHLR advocates challenging gender roles!
#StopStereotypingGenderRole
#AChangeisaMust
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