Youth Masculinities in Eastern Nepal
Analyzing the Influence of Changing Gender Equality and Roles in the Lives of Young Nepali Men
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Abstract
The study of men and masculinity is receiving increased attention within South Asia generally, and Nepal specifically. Within this emerging empirical context, this article analyzes the findings of a study undertaken by the UK NGO Saferworld in collaboration with two Nepali NGOs in Eastern Nepal in 2014. This qualitative study used a range of methods, including the participatory learning and reflections approach involving young men aged 16–25 years. Alongside gendered opportunities through negotiating their (young) masculinities, our young male participants felt significant pressures, confusion, and even frustrations. Our article considers changing expectations and opportunities with regard to gender equality and in gender roles, contributing unique insights into the performance of youth masculinities in post-conflict (post 2006) Nepal.
Contributor Notes
Matthew Maycock, PhD, is a senior lecturer in Criminology at Monash University, Melbourne, he is currently Adjunct Senior Research Fellow – Curtin University and Visiting Associate Professor – Edinburgh Napier University. Matthew undertook his PhD at the University of East Anglia in an ongoing study that analyses modern slavery and experiences of freedom within the Kamaiya community in Nepal. Throughout various studies, Matthew has consistently analysed gender issues. He is the co-editor of four books, sits on the editorial board of three journals and is the editor of the International Journal of Prison Health.
Ojaswi Shah is currently a Conflict and Security Adviser at Saferworld where she manages the Women, Peace and Security Helpdesk for the UK government. She specialises on gender, conflict and security having working for 15 years on both research and programming in Nepal, South Asia, East Africa and the MENA region. She has led coordination of multiple research projects for Saferworld in Nepal including on masculinities and violence, community security and GBV, conflict and security assessments and justice mappings. At present she is working as an adviser with a focus on gender and conflict-sensitive approaches to peacebuilding and crisis response.
Julie Brethfeld is an expert on conflict, peace, conflict sensitivity, security and gender. For over 20 years, she has been working with think tanks, NGOs and government organisations, in contexts such as South Sudan, Nepal, Central Asia, the Western Balkans. Julie has provided policy advice to ministries in the UK and Germany, has contributed to strategy development and led on and participated in research on various topics. Julie currently works for KfW Development Bank in Frankfurt, where she has co-led the development of KfW's internal strategy on peace and fragility and their initiative to enhance gender equality in financial cooperation.