Gendered Dimensions of Conflict: Psychosocial Impact on Family Members of Enforcedly Disappeared People

This study explores the gendered dimensions of conflict perceived in Nepal since 1996. The study is concerned with the women family members of state induced disappeared people of Kathmandu, Nepal which records highest number of cases of disappearances. Disappearance of male members impact women differently due to their male dependent identity and socio cultural positioning in the society. Therefore the study describes the changes in lives of "mothers and wives" of the disappeared which by far has received scant attention in the conflicting backlash between Maoist and the state in Nepal. The study has filled the lacuna by focusing on psychosocial impact of conflict on affected women, which is forgotten by most of the conflict studies on war, and women by relating women victimization merely on sexual violence. It also looks into women being compelled to develop flagrant social network, adapting to their new roles, changed relations and continuing the routine of daily survival and other coping mechanisms in dealing with the disappearances.