Gender roles, gender models, social norms and cultural challenges: from Nepal to Portugal

In this study, we depart from an analysis of gender roles and social norms in the contemporary Nepalese society (Walli et al., 2019; Khanal, 2021) and the effects of migration on patriarchal norms and empowerment (Wu and Kilby, 2022), to then discuss the benefits of support groups for migrant women (Msengi et al., 2015) and the gender-related challenges faced by them in host environments (Dahal et al., 2022). This is a qualitative and interpretative research: we analyze the data collected from two 1 hour-long, free, anonymous and voluntary self-reflection group sessions (12 and 10 participants, five questions) on gender issues with Nepali female migrants living in Portugal, along with data collected from an extra session with 10 Nepali male participants. The sessions were conducted at migrant association NIALP in Lisbon. We then combine data gathered via participant observation, the field diary and ethnographic method via NVIVO 12. We used non-probabilistic sampling (snowball method) and the sessions were conducted by the researcher. Our methodology supports the positive role of female migrant groups in promoting self-reflection and freedom of speech among their participants, as well as agency and solidarity. The novelty of our results: they reveal a number of areas where these women feel that they need more support in the host country, while male migrants found themselves more conflicted between origin and host country norms. The female participants were very critical regarding gender norms and gender roles in Nepal, contrasting them with european gender norms, roles and policies.