Migration in Bangladesh: consequences for gender relationships and outcomes

In Bangladesh population movement is not new but has emerged in new forms and through new processes. The traditional rural to urban migration of adult men seeking a better life, with or without families, is no longer the dominant practice. Short and medium term international labour migration of men from rural areas to a wide range of international destinations is gaining importance in household livelihood strategies. Not only that, the mechanism of migration has altered significantly: the primary mode of using family and kin networks have given way to reliance on commercial recruiters and agents. The new patterns and processes of migration, in particular the distinct characteristics of contemporary migrants, have wellbeing implications on family members left behind, especially women. While the impact of remittances on the household economy (poverty reduction) and on the local and national economies (land market, financial market, balance of payments) are undeniable, and have also received considerable research and policy attention the social impact of migration, some of which are visible and direct, while others are latent and more complex, is not well understood. This paper examines the social impact of male migration on household gender relations and behaviours using both household survey data and qualitative case studies.