Exploring the Female Vulnerabilities caused by Climate Induced Male-out Migration: A Case Study on Muzaffargarh, Pakistan

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.