Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This thesis is about continuity and change in rural Nepal with the purpose of understanding what changes migration has brought about in rural villages in the Ramechhap district. Migration is not a new phenomenon in Nepal, which has a long history of both domestic and foreign migration. However, in Nepal’s recent history there has been a considerable rise of foreign migration for labour which has affected the rural households in several ways. This thesis, therefore, explores the social, economical and agricultural changes due to migration, focusing on how these changes have affected the women in different local contexts in the villages. Through the lens of empowerment, feminization of agriculture and lifeworld, the thesis focuses on the stories of the women in the villages and their perceptions of how migration affects them. The field work took place in three rural villages; Chisapani, Farpu and Chasku and the data was collected through semi-structured household interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The results suggest that there are indeed changes which affect women socially, economically and through agricultural aspects. However, the results also suggest that the changes are complex and are depending on many aspects which influence the women’s lives such as caste, class, hierarchies and age as well as customs and traditions. Migration has been a significant driver resulting in changes in rural villages of Nepal, however, development and continuity, in the form of traditions, are still key players affecting the lives of household members.