Gender Impact of Male Migration

Sonalde B. Desai, University of Maryland
Manjistha Banerji, University of Maryland

This paper examines the impact of husband’s migration on lives of women left behind. Using data from India Human Development Survey 2005, this paper examines the impact on two dimensions of women’s lives: (a) Women’s autonomy and control over their lives; (b) Women’s labor force participation. Results suggest that household structure forms the key mediating factor through which husband’s absence affects women. Women not residing in extended families are faced with both higher levels of responsibilities as well as greater autonomy, while women who live in extended households do not experience these demands or benefits.