شناسایی علل گرایش زنان به کولبری مطالعه موردی: روستاهای مرزی استان کرمانشاه

A B S T R A C T
Borders define the national territory and control the movement of people and the flow of goods, which face various challenges. These challenges have caused the villagers in the western border areas of the country to turn to Kolbari to meet their needs. In the border villages of Paveh city, women are also engaged in kolberi along with men. Based on this, the present study identifies the reasons for women's tendency to kolberi in the border villages of Kermanshah province and the border villages of Paveh city, including Hani-Gormeleh, Dezavar, Kimneh, and Bidrvaz. This research was done in terms of purpose, development-applicability, and in terms of quiddity in the qualitative research group and with grounded theory method. The participants included 27 women from rural Kolbar, and data collection was done through semi-structured interviews and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. To manage and code the data, MAXQDA software was used and finally the analysis was done. The findings of the research led to the identification of 30 categories and 4 classes, in order of economic (146), political (126), social (83) and environmental (58) and 1 broad class of colbari. The most categories in the identified classes are related to unemployment and lack of capital (frequency26), indifference of officials, mismanagement, topography of the region and Far from the center (25), lack of income, lack of guardianship and single guardianship, lack of support from support institutions and It is not paying attention to the border (23). As a result, this research emphasizes the multi-dimensional challenges faced by women in border communities that policy makers can contribute to sustainable development, promotion of gender equality and economic resilience in border areas with inclusive strengthening and empowerment.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Borders are geopolitical frontiers that control the flow of people and goods, marking zones of sensitivity for any nation. Pronounced challenges emerge in the western regions of Iran, where multifaceted issues require unique solutions. In Paveh County, Kermanshah Province, kolbari, a cross-border trade practice, has become a vital part of the socio-economic fabric. This research aims to explore the intricate motivations and challenges driving women's tendency of kolbari, offering a nuanced understanding. To provide a comprehensive analysis, it is imperative to delve into existing literature on border, koolbari, and smuggling in border regions. Prior studies can shed light on the broader context, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the current research. By synthesizing existing knowledge, the study aims to contextualize the findings within the broader academic discourse, adding depth and richness to the research narrative and ensuring that it is firmly grounded in the existing body of knowledge. The study contributes to broader discussions on womens koolbari, socio-economic challenges, and policy interventions in border regions, seeking to inform future strategies and initiatives.
 
Methodology
The qualitative research methodology takes a practical and applied approach, aligning with the paradigm of qualitative research and utilizing Grounded theory as its framework. Purposeful and snowball sampling methods ensure a diverse and representative sample. The 27 rural women kolbars participating in semi-structured interviews hail from villages, including Hani Garmaleh, Dezavar, Kimneh, and Bidrvaz. The qualitative analysis, managed and coded using MAXQDA software, follows a systematic and rigorous approach, ensuring the extraction of meaningful themes and patterns, contributing to the depth and reliability of the study.
 
 
 
Results and discussion
The research findings unravel a rich tapestry of 30 thematic elements, meticulously categorized into Economic, Social, Political, and Environmental dimensions. These dimensions offer a holistic view of the challenges and motivations driving women in border villages toward engaging in kolbari. Economic factors emerge as the most prominent, with 146 instances, followed by political (126), social (83), and environmental (58) factors. The economic challenges identified include unemployment, lack of capital (26 instances), official indifference, mismanagement, regional topography, and remoteness from the center (25 instances), showcasing the multifaceted nature of the issues faced by these communities. Poverty, lack of income, single parenthood, absence of support from institutions, coupled with the neglect of border regions (23 instances), further accentuate the economic hardships. The intricate social fabric is woven with six social factors, covering social equality, single parenthood, lack of support from institutions, limited diverse social opportunities, quality of life, and unequal distribution of facilities. The political spectrum reveals nine factors, featuring official indifference, mismanagement, disregard for borders, concentration of power, lack of women's education, government's lack of support for women, failure to employ specialized managers, oversight of capacities and potentials, and the existence of various laws. Environmental considerations are distilled into four elements, including regional topography, border settlement, remoteness from the center, and restrictions on movement.
The research underscores the preeminence of economic and political factors in driving women's inclination toward kolbari in border regions of Iran’s western areas. The interconnectedness and destructive correlation of social elements and phenomena extracted from various dimensions highlight the challenges intricately woven into the fabric of these communities. Beyond the immediate implications, the discussion section explores the broader societal impact and potential policy interventions. It delves into the interconnectedness of these factors, acknowledging their complex interplay and the need for comprehensive strategies to address the challenges effectively, emphasizing the role of informed policies in enhancing socio-economic conditions in border regions. The discussion further explores potential policy recommendations, emphasizing the importance of gender-sensitive strategies and socio-economic development initiatives. It probes into the intricate web of socio-economic challenges, emphasizing the need for adaptive and culturally sensitive interventions. By fostering an environment of inclusivity and empowerment, policymakers can contribute to sustainable development in border regions, addressing the unique challenges faced by women in these communities.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, the interaction of elements across different dimensions propels women in these communities toward activities they may not be inherently interested in, emphasizing the complex web of motivations and challenges. This necessitates multidimensional and participatory policy solutions to address the challenges that may arise in government-people and people-people relationships. As border regions continue to grapple with these multifaceted issues, it becomes imperative to craft nuanced and comprehensive strategies that account for the unique socio-economic landscape and gender dynamics present in these areas. The findings of this research offer a robust foundation for further exploration and policy development to empower women in border communities, enhancing their socio-economic well-being while fostering sustainable development. This nuanced understanding, grounded in empirical evidence, can serve as a catalyst for positive change in these communities, promoting gender equality and economic resilience, contributing to the overall development of these regions
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The first and second authors contributed equally to this research, and the third author contributed to writing the theoretical foundations. All authors approved the content of the manuscript.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all the dear Kolbars, especially the women Kolbars of the Oramanet region and the women of Paveh city who participated in the interviews for this research. Your voice is a narrator of patience, perseverance and hope and a reflection of your hard but proud life. We wish for more freedom, justice and equality for all the women of our land. May one day, no woman be forced to accept unbearable hardships to earn her living and experience a life full of security, dignity and prosperity.