Page 40 - VMFT News Letter _Ajeesh_New Design_26.03.2020_Copy Revised

Promoting Research on Women

Women’s Participation in Household decision making – A Comparative study
between slum dwellers and other residents in urban Thiruvananthapuram

&
Violence against women in Urban Thiruvananthapuram –Comparison
between slum dwellers and other residents.

VMFT awarded fellowships to two master students (M A Social Work) from University
of Kerala, Karyavattom to conduct their dissertation on topics related to the women’s
life. The awards were given to
1. Arathy Balan on the title – Women’s Participation in Household decision making
– A Comparative study between slum dwellers and other residents in urban
Thiruvananthapuram and
2. Sreekutty Sathyan on the title – Violence against women in Urban Thiruvananthapuram
–Comparison between slum dwellers and other residents.
They were awarded with a grant of Rs. 10,000 each to collect data. Free access to
books, internet and computer at the VMFT resource centre were given during the
dissertation period. Orientation in Research Methodology and training in computer
analysis of data were given. Dr. O. G Sajitha (VMFT) provided technical advice in
analysing the primary data collected by the students.
Both studies confirmed variations in women’s status in slums compared to other
resident population in urban Thiruvananthapuram. Both studies were conducted within
a short period of time due to the nature of MA Social Work Programme. It needs more
systematic and large level data study to explore the reasons behind higher rates of
violence against women and lower participation in household decisions against the
views and believes of Kerala as a more gender just society.

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VMFT NEWSLETTER JANUARY-MARCH 2020