Researches on Gender Mainstreaming in Rural Transport Projects in Nepal: Transformative Changes

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1 D E P A R T M E N T OF L O C A L I N F R A S T R U C T U R E D E V E L O P M E N T AND A G R I C U L T U R A L R O A D S ( D O L I D A R ), G O V E R N M E N T N E P A L W O M E N OF IN S C I E N C E AND E N G I N E E R I N G IN N E P A L ( W I S E N E P A L ) H E L V E T A S S W I S S I N T E R C O O P E R A T I O N, N E P A L Research areas and methodology P RESENTATION O U TLINE Research background : Gender mainstreaming policies Research Findings C A R D N O E M E R G I N G M A R K E T S ( U K ) L TD. F OR R E S E A R C H F O R C O M M U N I T Y A C C E S S P A R T N E R S H I P (RE C A P ) Conclusions Researches on Gender Mainstreaming in Rural Transport Projects in Nepal: Transformative Changes

2 RESEARCH BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES, AREAS AND METHODOLOGY Research Background : Gender mainstreaming in rural roads, roads bridge and trail bridge programs Participation in planning, implementation and maintenance Conducive working environment (safety, insurance and child cares, separate toilets) Targeted employment (60% for disadvantaged groups and 40% women) Equal wages for equal works Reservations in the decision in making positions (33% for women) Training related to construction and maintenance

3 RESEARCH BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES, AREAS AND METHODOLOGY Research Areas Research Areas 2 districts for roads and road bridges case studies 3 districts for trail bridges case studies

4 RESEARCH BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES, AREAS AND METHODOLOGY Research Methodology 12 Host Household (HHH) Immersions 60 Focal Households (FHHs) 6 RAs lived in 12 Host Households in 3 villages around two road corridors chosen and interacted, conversed with 60 other focal households, and observed the situation - Focus group discussions - Key informants interviews - Policy review

5 RESEARCH PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Physical, social and economic mobility Women s mobility has increased for seeking health services, social visits, markets Women have increased incomes from short-term employment in road and bridge building works Consumption pattern changed due to affordability and availability meat, rice and vegetables Administrative, legal and financial works - performed by men - education/literacy (major barrier) I have never made so much money (referring to the NRs 12,000 she made for 40 days work), I now go to the market because it s easy and safe to cross the river and I can return home in time. I sell peanuts in the market myself Yasoda Lohar Bridge construction worker

6 RESEARCH PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Decision-making at household levels Decisions on education of children are jointly made Women decides on managing household expenses Women make their mobility decisions Decisions on investments, asset management are made by men Participation and decision making at community levels Women contribute labour and earn wages (un-skilled or semi-skilled workers) Women quotas are fulfilled in numbers in user committees (33 % ) Women also hold decision making positions Most of the decisions are influenced by men members in the users committees Men generally take the lead, particularly in construction as this is still considered a man's job. Women members are in the Committee just to fulfill the quota. Bimala Dhami, Bridge UC member

7 RESEARCH PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Women making their own choices : Although child care provisions are made in the projects, these women decided to stay home as they do not feel confident to leave their children being attended by others. I would like to express myself in the meetings, but when I see other women keeping quiet, I cannot speak up for fear of being accused of being talkative. Most of the men of the committee are my relatives, some are also my elder brotherin-laws Women making their own choices : Another woman who is participating in a training with her child., taking advantage of child care facility given. Sharada Pandey User Committee member of a trail bridge

8 RESEARCH PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Access to and control over assets/resources Women invest their earnings in golds Most earnings are spent on household expenses Some women took advantage of access for business (tea-convenient shops) Major assets (land, house and property) are still owned by men Very few of the women hold their bank accounts Assets in women s ownership after Redistribution of unpaid labour the death of their husbands. Rarely, unpaid household chores and care taking works are shared between men/boys I help mother in household chores when she is out to work on roads and when I do not have school My husband takes leave if I need to go far to participate in trainings Basanti Pal, UC member I would like to be involved in different develolopemnt activities but I just don t have time Laxmi Pal, UC member.

9 Policies Practices CONCLUSIONS Policies are aware of gender norms and partially responsive to changing them, primarily through quotas. Quotas are now widely accepted. However, the percentage of women is not what makes the difference to their active participation what makes the difference is family support, male UC support and community awareness. Recognising the burden of unpaid care work is crucial. Practices are partially responsive to enabling women s full participation and leadership through trainings. However, insufficient attention is given to the facilitation and social empowerment aspects through continuous supports for capacity building. Women s lives have been enhanced through safer and better access to services and earning opportunities. However, earning opportunities (during construction) for women are limited due to lack of skills trainings. Some of the women would be inspiring resource persons/role models. Gender mainstreaming Responsive Transformative changes World Economic Forum estimates that it will take another 100+ years to reach Gender Economic Parity!!

10 D E P A R T M E N T OF L O C A L I N F R A S T R U C T U R E D E V E L O P M E N T AND A G R I C U L T U R A L R O A D S ( D O L I D A R ), G O V E R N M E N T N E P A L W O M E N OF IN S C I E N C E AND E N G I N E E R I N G IN N E P A L ( W I S E N E P A L ) H E L V E T A S S W I S S I N T E R C O O P E R A T I O N, N E P A L C A R D N O E M E R G I N G M A R K E T S ( U K ) L TD. F OR R E S E A R C H F O R C O M M U N I T Y A C C E S S P A R T N E R S H I P (RE C A P ) WAY FORWARD Conscious efforts to tackle adverse gender norms Addressing women s unpaid and care works Better understanding on redistribution of women s workload Continued social empowerment Promotion of role models More investments on women s skills training Thank you Researches on Gender Mainstreaming in Rural Transport Projects in Nepal: Transformative Changes