The work patterns of rural women in the central Himalayas are influenced by many factors. The mountainous terrain and the migration of men from the region create a difficult work situation for all women who live there. This study looks into the effect of two factors, marital status and season, on the work patterns of rural women in the central Himalayas. Season has the biggest effect on agricultural work, which dramatically increases during the monsoon season, and fuel collection, which increases during the winter season. Understanding the work patterns of rural women will help development programmes to begin involving them in their activities, first through capacity building so they have time to participate, and then involving them in decision-making so women can help reduce their own drudgery.
