Impact of Male Migration on Left-behind Female Members Autonomy: Insights from IHDS Data

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

 Impact of Male Migration on Left-behind Female Members Autonomy: Insights from IHDS Data

Jugal Kumar Deka¹, Mausumi Das²

¹Research Scholar, OKD Institute of Social Change and Development, Assam, India
²Research Scholar, Department of HSS, Guwahati IIT, India

Abstract: – Migration is considered as a third component of population growth after fertility and mortality. A common pattern characterizing migration of men in developing countries is that they leave their wives and children in the place of origin while they migrate in search of work. As most of the male migrate without their family, their departure has some affect on the left behind female member. With the process of male migration, workload on left behind female member increased. Again in their daily life women have to cope with problems related to children, other members of the family, financial breakdown and complication regarding employers, neighbours, relatives etc. There is a dearth of studies in Assam, particularly regarding the impact of male migration on female autonomy. With this backdrop, this study aims to fulfill the gap by analyzing the impact of male migration on the autonomy of the left behind female members. Assamese women enjoy inferior status in case of women empowerment than the national average. Although they enjoy inferior status it is often found that autonomy in case of decision making is quite good compared to the other parts of the country.

Keywords: Migration, population growth, female autonomy, left behind female.

I. INTRODUCTION

Migration is considered as a third component of population growth after fertility and mortality. People move from one region to another region to getbetter inhabitant. Although people move from one region to another region for better opportunities, the reasons for movement are different. People can choose to migrate for various reasons. The history of movement of people from one place to another tells that people can migrate for a better employment opportunity, to escape domestic violence, lack of better education, health facility, etc. A common pattern characterizing migration of men in developing countries is that they leave their wives and children in the place of origin while they migrate in search of work(Desai & Banerji, 2008). Since most of the male migrate without their family, their departure has some affect on the left behind female member. After male migration workload on left behind female member increased. Again in their daily life women have to cope with problems related to children, other members of the family, financial breakdown and complication regarding employers, neighbours, relatives etc.(Gulati,1987).

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