Nepal, Sept. 30 -- Festivals bring joy, but give double burden to women in Nepali households

KAILALI, Sept 30: Family reunions and gatherings are central to the Dashain festival, and Tikapur is no exception. As in many parts of the country, people who were away for work or abroad have returned home to celebrate Dashain. While these reunions bring happiness and restore family bonds, they also come with an increased workload, especially for women.

Despite being a time of joy, festivals don't feel festive for everyone. Traditional gender roles still dominate household dynamics, where women are primarily expected to take care of all domestic responsibilities. During festivals, these expectations multiply, from deep-cleaning the house to coo...