Article Gender and Caste Relations Amidst a Changing Political Situation in Nepal: Insights from a Farmer-managed Irrigation System

This article explores changes wrought by the decade-long armed politi-cal conflict, led by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), in the sta-tus of women and men of different castes in a hilly region of Nepal dependent on irrigated farming system. The study uses qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) to analyze the processes and outcomes of the institutional dynamics of Ghyang Khola farmer-managed irrigation system (GFMIS) of Dolakha district, one of the conflict-affected districts of the country. The findings suggest that irriga-tion institutions have become more inclusive in terms of caste in the post-conflict period due to changes in wider social power relations. This has led to more secure access to irrigation water for women and men of all castes. Changes in the processes of making rules, members, and committees, in particular, have increased the participation in the Smrittee K. Panta is an alumnus of the Department of Gender and Development