Author: Anupa Rimal Lamichhane
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-08-04
Year: 2008
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2008
Examination Committee: Bernadette P. Resurreccion (Chairperson); Dietrich Schmidt-Vogt, Philippe Doneys (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Nepal has a history of out-migration. There has been enough evidence that especially rural men have out-migrated for various reasons (economic, social, environmental or political) to the urban cities or other countries. The main obvious reason found has been the deteriorating condition of agriculture with low production leading to food insecurity has pushed men to migrate from the three studied villages (Bhurtel Gaon, Lamichhane Gaon and Thapa Goan) of Majthana VDC in Western Nepal. They leave behind their family members at home and send them remittances as another option to agriculture to sustain their livelihood. The left behind women carry the responsibility to manage their household, farm land and the social events in the absence of their husbands. In many cases, they have to move out of their traditional roles and engage themselves in reproductive as well as productive roles to sustain their livelihood. In Nepal women work more hours then men in rural areas and in absence of their husbands their work load increases manifold. This study examines the effects that male out-migration can have on left behind women in a rural setting where agriculture is only seen as a form of livelihood. To get a more holistic picture the study encompasses internal or existing factors like household, farmland or community and external factors like development or community organizations where women are seen to be involved in absence of their husbands. The reason behind taking existing factors and external factors is to provide a more in-depth knowledge on where women are involved and how do they use their networks within to deal with the effect of male out-migration. In the process of sustaining their livelihood these women determine their coping strategies to overcome the issues of low agriculture production, household responsibilities, financial crisis and foo
Scholarship Donor(s): International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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