Untitled - Care Nepal

India as their houses are near to the boarder
also. “There is neither education nor development.
There is little land but we have no proof that we
own that. We do not have lal purja (land
certificate) of it. We work very hard but not that
much is earned. From land, we survive for 6
months and for next 6 months we have
to work for others in village”.
“We do not have land to survive our family. There
is not a single water tap in our community; we
have to even buy the water. You tell us, should
we buy food or water from this
amount of earning”.
(FGD with land less women in Mohattari)
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Coping and resources
We identified a number of different coping
strategies. The coping mechanisms may be
divided into three categories: 1) individual
coping (i.e. self-initiated strategies to solve
a problem situation, 2) family support (i.e.
support or cooperation to solve a problem
by family members), and 3) community
support (i.e. support and cooperation from
neighbors, elders and other community
members to solve a problem situation).
Many psychosocial problems occurred due
to social issues such as being ignored by
family members, separation from family
members and being physically disabled.
Both positive and negative ideas for coping,
as well as community support and
difficulties were identified.
It was found that most of the women first
relied on family members while
experiencing problems. The family
environment was found to be both a source
of support as well as a place that lead to
increased distress. Some of them said they
shared the problems with their family
members especially with sons and
daughters. Many also shared with close
friends. A few of the respondents reported
the use of alcohol to relieve their problems.
Economically, women who had suffered
from their in-laws and husband found
support from their parent’s homes.
Furthermore, women were supported by
their own children. Children helped the
mothers to do household work and spent
more time than before. On the other hand
some of the women were beaten by their
husbands, and were suspected of having
relationships with other men, this blame
towards the women increased their
psychosocial problems.
Socially, women were supported by some
organizations and emotionally by their close
friends. It was mentioned that women
generally shared their problems while
working in the fields with close friends.
Like this, they received emotional support
which eased their minds. Women whose
husbands were not at home were often
criticized by community people and prey
to men wanting to take sexual advantage of
them, affecting their trust in others. Many
women have used women’s groups and
saving & credit groups as supportive
foundations because they have received
emotional and financial support from these
institutions.
Psychosocial Issues of
Women affected by conflict
23