Women in Society

I am writing about Nepali Women. This is where my parents and ancestors come from. Nepal is a patriarchal society. Women, in general, are dominated by their male partners or male members of the family and society. Women in Nepal mostly are seen as homemakers, caretakers, a sign of peace and love. Women should look physically attractive and feminine. Food served without basic jewelry was not entertained. Cooking and serving was considered a very feminine trait and men was teased for doing such works. Male in the community is known to be a symbol of safety and strength, a decision maker.

A woman is not supposed to be participating in big household decisions and is not allowed to talk in between while male members are discussing anything. Female is supposed to serve everybody and eat at the end and especially in-laws are the left overeaters. While on the other hand, women are treated as Laxmi in Hindu Culture, who’s the symbol of goddess Laxmi, goddess of wealth. Men go out and earn money, bring home and give his wife to keep it and she is the finance minister of the house. She does the budgeting. A home is not considered home without women in the house.  Women in olden days were not allowed to go to school and very rarely worked outside the home in ancient days. Women have been given the name of the goddesses in the Hindu religion for being the symbol of wealth, love and affection, and care.

 A woman in typical farmer family ends up working extended hours while women whose husband works in highly paid Govt. jobs or private business owners, have housemaids at home and work less than their male counterparts. Women’s status in Nepal is highly determined by the socio-economic status of the family. While the contribution of women was substantial, their work was unnoticed as their traditional role was taken for granted. They were paid 25% less than the male in the position.” Although the constitution offers women equal educational opportunities, many social, economic, and cultural factors contributed to lower enrollment and higher dropout rates for girls. In the early 1990s, a direct correlation existed between the level of education and status.”(Wikipedia). A women’s status in the family, especially a daughter-in-law’s status is closely determined by the husband’s authority and the wealth of her parents.

Women in Nepal. (2017, July 09). Retrieved August 13, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Nepal