Household Obligations

Photo credit: The Rising Nepal Dixya Poudel

Wed, 28 October 2026

Photo credit: The Rising Nepal Dixya Poudel

Wed, 28 October 2026

We recently celebrated Dashain, one of the most auspicious festivals of Nepal. And we are looking forward to celebrating another important festival, Tihar. Festivals might be a time for Nepalis to relax and let their hair down, but are we inadvertently overlooking the strain it puts on women tending to the households?

Nepal might be looking to step up to modernity, but like the rest of the world, it remains patriarchal to the core. Modern women in Nepal are in quite a bind—working outside the home while also keeping up the household. Young girls grow up watching their mothers, aunts, and sisters toil at home, especially during festivals. Sure, it is fun to collaborate on making lunch and dinner with the whole family once in a while, but doing it solo for the rest of the year can be taxing.