Foreign employment helps a lot to Mahotari residents as it makes them feel financially secured. But there’s a flip side to it: Their families, specially the women, spend the days in anguish.

Nearly two lakh people have gone for foreign employment from Mahotari alone, making the district the highest number of Nepalis going for the foreign employment each year.

Of course, the families are getting financial support from their bread earners but at the same time the family members undergo immense pressure of psychological tension.

Sangita Kumari (name changed) of Bhramarpura, who was newly married is tensed as her husband had gone to Saudi Arabia just after 10 days of their marriage. She does not know how to adjust with the new family and there’s no one with she can share her problems.

There are still others who live separately to educate their children. In-laws consider that their families are at odds as the daughter-in-law doesn’t want to stay with the family anymore.

Rohini Jha, assistant professor of psychology at the Ramananda Biseshwore Mahendra Campus Jaleswore, believes that the long separation between husband and wife creates a psychological torture as women are held accountable for everything from their family members and society as well.

Women are also facing tension of different sorts such as physically, mentally, financially and from their family too as the country is male dominated.

No wonder the number of patients is increasing in the hospitals due to mental pre-ssure which made women depressing, said Dr Rahul Chaudary.

He further said most patients do not suffer from any disease but since they had to bear the family burden and face tantrums on daily basis from other family members they suffer from mental disease.

“Those who are earning more and contact their family daily do not have any problem, but those with less salary who cannot contact with the family members are more prone to such problems. So insufficient of adequte financial backing is also one of the reasons,” said Rekha Jha, women rights activist.

Over 50 youth daily come to take their passports from the District Administration Office, said DAO Pradip Raj Kandel.

Published on: 13 August 2012 | The Himalayan Times