A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal
Abstract Background Gender inequality and violence are not mutually exclusive phenomena but complex loops affecting each other. Women in Nepal face several inequalities and violence. The causes are diverse, but most of these results are due to socially assigned lower positioning of women. The hierar...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14389-x |
| _version_ | 1797984603108016128 |
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| author | Pranab Dahal Sunil Kumar Joshi Katarina Swahnberg |
| author_facet | Pranab Dahal Sunil Kumar Joshi Katarina Swahnberg |
| author_sort | Pranab Dahal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Gender inequality and violence are not mutually exclusive phenomena but complex loops affecting each other. Women in Nepal face several inequalities and violence. The causes are diverse, but most of these results are due to socially assigned lower positioning of women. The hierarchies based on power make women face subordination and violence in Nepal. The study aims to explore participants' understanding and experience to identify the status of inequality for women and how violence emerges as one of its consequences. Furthermore, it explores the causes of sex trafficking as an example of an outcome of inequality and violence. Method The study formulated separate male and female groups using a purposive sampling method. The study used a multistage focus group discussion, where the same groups met at different intervals. Six focus group discussions, three times each with male and female groups, were conducted in a year. Thirty-six individuals, including sixteen males and twenty females, were involved in the discussions. The study used constructivist grounded theory for the data analysis. Results The study participants identify that a power play between men and women reinforce inequality and increases the likelihood of violence for women. The findings suggest that the subjugation of women occurs due to practices based on gender differences, constricted life opportunities, and internalization of constructed differences among women. The study identifies that interpersonal and socio-cultural violence can result due to established differences between men and women. Sex trafficking, as an example of the outcome of inequality and violence, occurs due to the disadvantageous position of women compounded by poverty and illiteracy. The study has developed a concept of power-play which is identified as a cause and consequence of women's subordination and violence. This power play is found operative at various levels with social approval for men to use violence and maintain/produce inequality. Conclusion The theoretical concept of power play shows that there are inequitable power relations between men and women. The male-centric socio-cultural norms and practices have endowed men with privilege, power, and an opportunity to exploit women. This lowers the status of women and the power-play help to produce and sustain inequality. The power-play exposes women to violence and manifests itself as one of the worst expressions used by men. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:05:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3816afce267a4f5ca3ef4553f0fd7f94 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:05:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-3816afce267a4f5ca3ef4553f0fd7f942022-12-22T04:38:25ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-11-0122111510.1186/s12889-022-14389-xA qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in NepalPranab Dahal0Sunil Kumar Joshi1Katarina Swahnberg2Department of Health and Caring Science, Linnaeus UniversityDepartment of Community Medicine, Kathmandu Medical CollegeDepartment of Health and Caring Science, Linnaeus UniversityAbstract Background Gender inequality and violence are not mutually exclusive phenomena but complex loops affecting each other. Women in Nepal face several inequalities and violence. The causes are diverse, but most of these results are due to socially assigned lower positioning of women. The hierarchies based on power make women face subordination and violence in Nepal. The study aims to explore participants' understanding and experience to identify the status of inequality for women and how violence emerges as one of its consequences. Furthermore, it explores the causes of sex trafficking as an example of an outcome of inequality and violence. Method The study formulated separate male and female groups using a purposive sampling method. The study used a multistage focus group discussion, where the same groups met at different intervals. Six focus group discussions, three times each with male and female groups, were conducted in a year. Thirty-six individuals, including sixteen males and twenty females, were involved in the discussions. The study used constructivist grounded theory for the data analysis. Results The study participants identify that a power play between men and women reinforce inequality and increases the likelihood of violence for women. The findings suggest that the subjugation of women occurs due to practices based on gender differences, constricted life opportunities, and internalization of constructed differences among women. The study identifies that interpersonal and socio-cultural violence can result due to established differences between men and women. Sex trafficking, as an example of the outcome of inequality and violence, occurs due to the disadvantageous position of women compounded by poverty and illiteracy. The study has developed a concept of power-play which is identified as a cause and consequence of women's subordination and violence. This power play is found operative at various levels with social approval for men to use violence and maintain/produce inequality. Conclusion The theoretical concept of power play shows that there are inequitable power relations between men and women. The male-centric socio-cultural norms and practices have endowed men with privilege, power, and an opportunity to exploit women. This lowers the status of women and the power-play help to produce and sustain inequality. The power-play exposes women to violence and manifests itself as one of the worst expressions used by men.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14389-xGenderInequalityViolencePower playConstructivist grounded theoryNepal |
| spellingShingle | Pranab Dahal Sunil Kumar Joshi Katarina Swahnberg A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal BMC Public Health Gender Inequality Violence Power play Constructivist grounded theory Nepal |
| title | A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal |
| title_full | A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal |
| title_short | A qualitative study on gender inequality and gender-based violence in Nepal |
| title_sort | qualitative study on gender inequality and gender based violence in nepal |
| topic | Gender Inequality Violence Power play Constructivist grounded theory Nepal |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14389-x |
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