TRANSFORMATIONS OF GENDER AND CASTE DIVISIONS OF LABOR IN RURAL NEPAL- LAND, HIERARCHY, AND THE CASE OF UNTOUCHABLE WOMEN

The article demonstrates how gender and caste divisions of labor in ru ral western Nepal have been historically linked with practices of soci al hierarchy and land distribution. Because of their low status in two hierarchies-caste and gender-untouchable women serve as handmaidens t o the community's changing economic needs. Over the past century, thei r primarily artisan-related production has been replaced with a variet y of paid agricultural and nonagricultural work in the increasingly ca pitalized agricultural economy. The consequent breakdown of secure int ercaste patron-client relationships and increasing poverty are counter ed by women's increasing economic power.