Abstract:
The study aims to explore the repercussions of male-out migration due to climate change
on the women left behind, taking MuzaffarGarh as case-study. The main livelihood of
people in this region is agriculture but due to climate change cultivable land has been
significantly reduced, severely affecting the subsistence of the community. This has
compelled men to migrate in search of alternative livelihood options leaving women
behind. The women in the region are already marginalized due to economic dependency,
cultural norms; limited access to education and social services; climate induced male-out
migration the region further enhances these issues. The conceptual framework has been
devised taking three main indicators of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity and adaptive
capacity to capture its multi-dimensional aspects by focusing on interconnected themes of
climate variability, migration patterns, changes in agricultural conditions, frequency of
environmental disasters, water sensitivity, food sensitivity, land sensitivity, health,
education, livelihood diversification, technological capacity, and safety nets and social
safeguards. Qualitative methodology has been used, employing purposive sampling and
semi-structured interviews conducted at participant, government and community level.
Furthermore, thematic analysis of the findings has been done which reveals that climate
variability and changing agricultural conditions are causing more men to migrate with the
passage of time and the women left behind are greatly impacted due to water, land and
food sensitivity. The adaptive capacity of women to cope with the absence of men is less
because of inadequacy and access to healthcare facilities, lack of education, and lesser
options of livelihood diversification. Policy recommendations have been proposed at
regional and national level based on information obtained through the findings of this study
and by finding gaps in the existing legal framework and National Climate Change Policy.
