Gender Perspectives in Hinduism: Contemporary Practices in the Community School of Miklajung Rural Municipality, Nepal

Abstract

Gender discrimination issue is one of the major topics of discussion in the Hindu community of Nepal. The old culture of Hinduism regarding gender discrimination among schoolgirls has gained attention for researchers over the years. To investigate their status, this research is mainly concerned.

The base of this research is the field observation of school, the residences, and the community of the area. The researcher has sought data from the students, parents, teachers, local people, and priests. As the secondary source, local newspapers, the portfolio from local FM, TV health related organizations, and religious committees were also consulted. The data collected are analyzed and presented in the explanatory form in adherence to the hegemonic masculinity theory.

From the observations, questionnaires, focus group discussion, semi structure interview showed that there is no legal problem related to gender discrimination in Nepal, yet domestic and cultural influences lead to gender discrimination in Nepal. The result of the research also revealed that in Hindu cultural practices, gender-based discrimination is privileged in the Nepalese education system: overt or covert.

From the equality perspectives in the Hindu community, the research emphasizes the need for wide exposure of people and communities who practice the respect of women and equality. The suggestion is also highlighted that the crux of the inequality which is in the family and community level. The intervention has to be initiated from the family level, through awareness; launching the educational program to tie up into income generation and IT access in the rural areas. The research recommends the formulation or amendments of gender friendly policies from central, provincial and local levels, assessment of frequent monitoring and evaluation mechanism of the gender related issues and assurance of proper functioning of rules and regulations through awareness in households, communities, and schools.