Female migration in India – A blurred mapping of internal female migration

Source: The post female migration in India has been created, based on the article “A blurred mapping of internal female migration” published in “The Hindu” on 31st January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1-population and associated issues And GS paper2- governance- mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

News: The article discusses how internal migration in India is often male-focused, but women, especially working-age ones, are also a big part of this. However, their migration reasons and work involvement are less recognized and understood due to issues in data collection and societal views.

What is the current status of female migration in India?

Predominant Reason for Migration: 81% of women in India migrate due to marriage, overshadowing other reasons like employment (2.42%) and education (0.48%).

Unemployment and Informal Employment: The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data indicate that about three quarters of migrant women are unemployed, and only a small fraction is in self or wage employment (14%) or casual labor (12%). Many women likely engage in informal work, which is underreported.

Educational Disparities: A large percentage (85%) of migrant women have less than 10 years of education, potentially limiting their employment opportunities.

Post-COVID Impact: After the pandemic, 55% of women didn’t return to work, and those who did earned only 56% of their pre-pandemic income.

What challenges do female migrants face in employment?

Definitional Issues in Employment: National surveys’ definition of employment, focusing on formal contracts, leads to many women’s works being classified as unpaid or not part of the labor force.

Underreported Employment: Despite PLFS data indicating high unemployment among migrant women, many engage in casual or informal jobs like agriculture or domestic help, which are often not recognized as employment.

Lack of Social Networks: After migrating, women often face the challenge of having limited social networks. This lack of connections, especially in new environments, can significantly hinder their chances of finding employment. Their reduced social capital compared to non-migrant women exacerbates this issue.

Policy Gaps: Current policies do not adequately address the unique needs and challenges of female migrants. For instance, initiatives like One Nation One Ration Card, e-Shram, and affordable rental housing complexes are mainly targeted towards male migrants, overlooking the specific requirements of female migrants.

What should be done about these challenges?

Collect Comprehensive Data: Enhance national surveys like the PLFS to include more information on female migrants’ socio-economic conditions post-migration and their time-use data. This will help understand their actual employment status and challenges.

Change the Employment Definition: Alter the definition of employment in surveys to include informal and unpaid family work, which is common among migrant women but currently not recognized as employment.

Tailored Policies: Develop policies that address the specific needs of female migrants, moving beyond the male-centric focus of current policies like One Nation One Ration Card or e-Shram. This includes creating targeted support for their employment, social security, and other challenges they face post-migration.

Political Recognition: Increase political attention towards female migrants, recognizing them as a significant group with unique needs, rather than treating them the same as male migrants.

Question for practice:

Examine the predominant reasons for female migration in India and the impact of post-COVID circumstances on women’s employment.