Widening Women’s Space through Land Rights

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

How a patriarchal society understands the concept of space seems to determine women’s access to their land rights. This understanding of women space can limit women from realizing their full potentiality as it prevents or discourages them from accessing opportunities that are in public space. In a patriarchal society, women space is mostly within the household, i.e. a private space. While, for men, their space is mostly thought to be of/in public space.

The land, in general understanding is a public space. Currently, in Nepal, 60% of women are involved in land; but only about 19% of women have land in their names. The reason for this is due to the discriminatory construction of ‘women space’ in the patriarchal society. Where she belongs? What is she allowed to have as a property? Or through whom she is entitled for the property determines her place and space in the family and the society. This means women are constrained due to the concept of space entitled to them. Along with it, they are exposed to different forms of vulnerabilities and exploitation. So, to empower women, the space where most of them are involved or engaged has to be targeted. The land where they are working, if can legally be made theirs with their full ownership and access, the private space of women will slowly widen to public space. This will eventually lead to breaking the boundaries created by patriarchal societies to limit women participation in public space.

With this argument, in this paper, I will focus on how ensuring land rights in agricultural country like Nepal can be a tool for women empowerment, widening their role in the public space and reducing the gender gap. The paper is mainly based on my observation during field research in Nawalparasi district of Nepal. It will also get its ideas supported through different scholars’ arguments and writings.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Methodology
• Patriarchy and Property Rights in Nepalese context - History
• Understanding Women Space in Patriarchy
• Her Land Rights
• Conclusion
• References