Male out-migration from the Himalaya: implications in gender roles and household food (in)security in the Kaligandaki Basin, Nepal

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper investigates implications of male labour migration in gender roles and identity of women, and household food security outcome in the Kaligandaki Basin, Nepal. The study covers three study-clusters located at different ecological zones: Meghauli in Tarai, Lumle in Middle-Mountains, and Upper-Mustang in Trans-Himalaya. Data on private domain were collected through face-to-face interview in 360 households while data on public domain were obtained from group discussions conducted in 24 communities, and Key Informants Interviews taken with 75 individuals. The findings indicate that out-migration of men compelled women shoulder additional work-burden. Feminisation of agriculture and communities has reduced farm-production and increased food insecurity in terms of self-production. However, it is compensated by remittance sent by migrants and associated increase in access to marketed food. Despite male out-migration giving opportunity to women to be a household manager, it is limited to be a de facto household-head who lacks control over household assets. They have poor influence in community decision-making too, though increased the participation. Women in the basin are performing the roles of both men and women so are lacking particular gender identity. These findings indicate the need of integrating gender policy with migration, agriculture, and food security policies of Nepal.