Women's Empowerment Through Homestay Tourism in Rural Nepal: A Comparative Analysis of Resources, Agency, and Achievements

Abstract

This dissertation critically examines the role of homestay tourism in promoting women’s empowerment in rural Nepal by comparing four communities: Sirubari, Lwang Ghalel, Ghale Gaun, and the Tharu settlements. Guided by Kabeer’s (1999) empowerment framework of resources, agency, and achievements, the study explores how women’s engagement in homestay tourism influences income generation, skill development, financial independence, and decision- making power, while recognising the structural constraints that shape these outcomes. It adopts a qualitative research design within the social constructivist paradigm and relies on secondary data from reports by national and international organisations, government policies, and academic literature. Thematic analysis has been applied to identify patterns across different institutional, social, and cultural contexts. The findings indicate that women’s empowerment through homestay tourism is highly context- specific and uneven. Empowerment remains limited in contexts characterised by patriarchal norms, weak institutional support, and seasonal tourism. However, communities with inclusive governance structures, cooperative leadership, and access to training demonstrate stronger pathways from income to agency and achievement. The study also highlights that participation in tourism alone does not guarantee empowerment; rather, empowerment occurs when women exercise power over decision-making and economic resources are stable and collectively governed. This research contributes to gender and tourism scholarship by offering a nuanced, intersectional understanding of empowerment in rural tourism contexts. It provides useful insights for policymakers and development professionals seeking to establish more inclusive and equitable homestay tourism initiatives in Nepal.