Identifying the causes of women's tendency to go to koolbari in border villages; Case study: border villages of Kermanshah province

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: 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.
Discussion: 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.
Keywords: Informal economy, Coolbari, Border regions, Smuggling, Kermanshah province.