International Journal of Social Sciences and Management

433-437

Authors: Akash Pandey, Ashmita Lama, Aassmi Poudyal

The unprecedented situation brought about by the COVID-19 lockdown has affected the lives of children across the world. Although the information on COVID-19 impact on children is less heard and often ignored, its consequences will mark a ripple effect in the well-being of children, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds. This paper-based on secondary data explores the impacts induced by the COVID-19 lockdown on the lives of disadvantaged children in Nepal. The study has particularly discussed the problems faced by children from remote communities, children with disabilities, and children living in the streets. This study has firstly analyzed their existing situation through an extensive literature review followed by a detailed review of the impact and aftermath of the earlier crisis in those underprivileged lives and an outline of how the current pandemic can also trigger such repercussions in the coming periods. Findings show the different factors associated with intensifying the current problems experienced by the target groups. The study concludes with a recommendation to undertake primary research to highlight the problems from a much broader way so that the results can be implicated in a more scientific manner to grab the attention of policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to address the issue.

445-456

Authors: Gashaw Ayanaw

Women constitute almost half of the world’s population though they have been excluded from decision making. Studies conducted on women and seed overlooked specific gender roles and decision making of women in seed selection and production in informal seed system in food insecure areas. This study attempted to address women’s participation, women’s dual roles, and constraints for their fair participation. The study employed mixed research approach. It also used primary and secondary sources of data-collected through questionnaire, FGDs, interviews, direct observation and document review. Probability and non-probability sampling techniques were employed to select study participants. Finally, the data were analyzed via quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. The study found out that women’s participation in seed selection is with low extent and limited in decision making unlike their role in providing labor. It shows that majority of women in male headed households are part of seed production processes regardless of their health problems, level of education, and burdens in the domestic tasks. The study also indicated that lack of infrastructures, cultural barriers, and inaccessibility of market are major constraints for fair participation of women in seed selection and production. The local government shall work on awareness on gender equality, provision of technologies and production inputs, and construction of roads to local markets were possible solutions forwarded to improve women’s saying and burden in seed selection and production.