Male out-migration and its impact on rural women: a study in Cooch Behar, West Bengal

Despite the wide research on the impression of migration, slight is known about the impact of the male short term or seasonal out migration on rural females. This study aims to find out migration affects the status of women directly or indirectly. In the rural areas, male partner migration puts extra physical as well as mental pressure on the women. This study also attempts to measure decision making power, empowerment of women, workload and family burden and freedom of choice in families which have unexpectedly move. Migration is a strategy for rural people to securing livelihood and escape from rural poverty. Long term and frequent absence of male members are effects on women’s life and change their role. This study shows that male out-migration generated some significant impact on women’s premises; they are performing male specific activities and push to veil her loneliness.