UNDERSTANDING GENDERED POWER RELATIONS THROUGH TRANSECT WALK AND SPATIAL MAPPING

Abstract

This paper discusses the utility of spatial mapping in combination with transect walks as a part of ethnographic research on gender and family relations in Punjab, Pakistan. Transect walks refer to the practice whereby the researcher walks on defined walkways, such as existing mud trails, with local research participants to gain a deeper understanding of a locality and allowing for detailed charting of the shared resources. Building on feminist geographers, and deploying spatial data collection methods, this research explores the patterning of gendered power in the research community and specifically, within families from different castes. The findings emerging from initial spatial mapping exercises were confirmed during transect walks with different villagers. The paper analyses the benefits of using this combination of methods to build rapport and generate nuanced data on the gendered politics of community and family life, providing insight into, for example, who owns and controls what in the community, who works for whom, who has restricted access to certain resources and how these dynamics shape gender relations within families. The paper highlights the important contributions that spatial methods can make to feminist scholarship and specifically, more layered understandings of inclusive development. Keywords: Spatial Mapping; Transect Walk; Gender Relations; Power Relations; Feminist Research; Caste System.