Women’s Work and Economic Agency in Assamese Literature: Representations of Gender and Socio-Economic Transformation

Abstract

Women's employment and economic autonomy are shaped by gender roles, family structures, patriarchal expectations and socio-economic conditions. This study examines Women's employment and economic autonomy in Assamese literature, with particular attention to gender relations and socio-economic transformation. A qualitative research design was adopted, combining analysis of selected Assamese literary works with semi-structured interviews with 10 purposively selected participants familiar with Assamese literature. The analysis focused on women’s domestic, agricultural, informal and paid work; financial independence; control over resources; occupational choices; decision-making; gender norms; patriarchy; family relations; and changing socio-economic conditions. Thematic analysis identified four major areas: representations of Women's employment and gender roles, women's economic autonomy, gender and patriarchal expectations, and perceived gender-related and socio-economic transformation. Participants identified both traditional and changing representations of women and associated their engagement with literature with greater awareness of women’s work, economic independence, gender expectations and social and economic roles. The study contributes to understanding Assamese literature as a cultural space for examining changing perceptions of women’s work, agency and gender relations.