Untitled - Care Nepal

Analysis and Discussion
This study reveals that women’s
psychosocial problems stem out of
poverty and gender based inequity
and discrimination in general. However
during the time of conflict it gets escalated.
One of the interesting findings of this study
was that flexibility and freedom of women
varies upon their ethnicity or caste. Freedom
of mobility, input in decision making
processes and a lower distribution of work
load were more common in Janajati
community compared to the Brahmin-Chettri
communities. Brahim caste women referred
to their husband as gods though most of the
time they had suffered from discrimination,
domination and mistreatment from their
own husband. In this research men agreed
that they were not aware and had never asked
about the wishes and interests of women.
Similar mistreatment of women has been
expressed in South Africa, female were
mentally and physically abused by their
husband due to involuntary childlessness
and they were likely to be at increased risk
of emotional distress (SJ Dyers, A Abrahams,
2005). Similarly, research conducted in
Karnataka India revealed that women who
belonged to indigenous communities had
more freedom in terms of mobility, decision
making and spending money in their life
than other women. Earlier, we found similar
results in Nepal. In research with Nepali
child soldiers, conducted by TPO Nepal,
Brahmin and Chettri girls faced more
difficulties such as backbiting, difficulties
in marrying and relationship problems after
their return in communities. Janajati girls,
however reported fewer difficulties.
The events related to the conflict had
hampered women’s psychosocial wellbeing
due to fear of kidnapping, killing,
cross-firing, unexpected explosion, fear of
being raped and threats. Moreover, the
increased workloads and management of all
expenditure at home put them under
increased pressure. This in turn led to
increased poverty and psychological
distress. A large variety in the types of
psychological distress was found reported.
No extreme cases of typical psychiatric
symptoms associated with trauma exposure,
such as flashbacks or nightmares were
recorded. Women who personally
witnessed killings of their husband and
suffered bomb explosions also reported that
their health was normal and that life was
similar to before the conflict. On the other
hand, a group of women, especially those
who were economically and otherwise
marginalized, expressed continued
increased psychological distress. Also,
social relations that may put communities
at risk of future conflict was also identified.
The findings of this research illustrate that
women continue to suffer from different
social and economical issues that are not
necessarily conflict-related. Lack of family
support, mistreatment and avoidance by
34
Psychosocial Issues of
Women affected by conflict