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Male migration and women’s decision-making in Nepal

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  • Pratistha Joshi Rajkarnikar

    (Boston University)

Abstract

This study examines the changes in women’s decision-making roles due to the foreign labor migration of men from Nepal. Using a mixed-method strategy, based on qualitative analysis from fieldwork in four districts of Nepal and quantitative analysis from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011, the study finds that women who take on the role of household heads make more decisions, while those living under the headship of other members experience a decline in their decision-making power. However, even for household heads, most gains in decision-making come from making smaller, non-strategic decisions. Strategic decisions, especially those related to children’s well-being and allocation of financial resources, are mostly made by men. Women’s ability to be empowered through increased decision-making is limited by their position in the family, their financial dependence on men, and norms restricting women’s access to resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Pratistha Joshi Rajkarnikar, 2020. "Male migration and women’s decision-making in Nepal," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 959-982, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:18:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s11150-020-09504-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-020-09504-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hein de Haas & Aleida van Rooij, 2010. "Migration as Emancipation? The Impact of Internal and International Migration on the Position of Women Left Behind in Rural Morocco," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 43-62.
    2. Rama Lionel Ngenzebuke & Bram De Rock & Philip Verwimp, 2018. "The power of the family: kinship and intra-household decision making in rural Burundi," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 323-346, June.
    3. Acosta, Pablo, 2006. "Labor supply, school attendance, and remittances from international migration : the case of El Salvador," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3903, The World Bank.
    4. Lokshin, Michael & Glinskaya, Elena, 2008. "The effect of male migration for work on employment patterns of females in nepal," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4757, The World Bank.
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