Gender Studies

The Institute has identified gender studies as one of its priorities. Contrary to the general belief of gender parity in Northeast India, it has been gradually observed that the women are accorded much lower positions in the societies. Sometimes, the customary laws act against the interests of the women. Moreover, with the change ushered in by technical and material advancements, the age-old familial ties are also on the wane. The changing gender dynamics of the region warrants in-depth studies.

Women and Economy in Assam: Liberalization and Women Accessibility to Market

Globalisation and the new economic policy reform in India have showed positive as well as negative impacts on women in general and rural women in particular. However, scope and opportunities for integrating the local market with global order has regional variations and women workers have been particularly disadvantaged in the process. This study delves into the question of women as part of the economic and social space and how the unequal distributions of household responsibilities between men and women affect the labour market outcomes.

The study has completed the analysis of secondary data and also three chapters. The field survey will be taken up later during the year.

Making Women Count for Peace: Gender Empowerment and Conflict in South Asia

With a focus on Northeast Indian experiences and a comparative look at Nepal, this research study addresses the role of women in local governance and politics, particularly in the context of peace and security processes. The aim of this study is to investigate the 'empowerment' and 'disempowerment' of women in the context of North East India as a case of protracted conflict with no third party mediation and to compare this with Nepal as a post-conflict case in which international agencies have been heavily involved.Funded by Research Council of Norway the Institute is currently working in partnership with Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), for this research work. The first draft of the paper on the Northeast India has already been submitted.