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🇳🇵 Nepal /Environment & Climate

Who moves away when climate change hits?

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Climate change is forcing widespread internal migration across South Asia, with people moving from rural areas to urban centers due to extreme weather events.
  • Research reveals a complex picture of migration, often involving men seeking work while women manage households and farming, though women also migrate independently or with families, particularly in Bhutan.
  • Women in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, despite contributing to the workforce, often lack control over assets and political leadership, with land access mediated through kinship structures, unlike in Bhutan where matrilineal inheritance grants women more land ownership.

The Kathmandu Post highlights the critical issue of climate-induced migration within South Asia, focusing on the often-overlooked role and experiences of women. The article challenges previous research that primarily centered on male migration, revealing that women are also significant movers, either independently or as part of households, driven by the impacts of extreme weather on their homes and livelihoods.

My husband has been away for many years. I am busy with cattle and other farm work throughout the day but am also responsible for the children. Whenever there is any problem, the teachers ask me to come.

· BagyalataAn Indian woman in Odisha describing her responsibilities while her husband is away migrating for work.

The research presented underscores the diverse forms of migrant households and the varied responsibilities women shoulder. While men often seek employment in cities, leaving women to manage farms and families, the article notes exceptions, such as in Bhutan, where women are more commonly the primary migrants for work. This nuanced perspective is crucial for understanding the gendered impacts of climate change and migration patterns in the region.

My wife lives and works in Thimphu. As the eldest son, I returned to the village to look after my parents and disabled brother. Our family relies on income from oranges, but this has been declining due to irregular rainfall and new [crop] pests.

· Bhutanese manA man in Bhutan explaining his family's migration patterns and the impact of climate change on their livelihood.

Furthermore, the piece delves into the socio-economic disparities that exacerbate the challenges faced by women. Despite their contributions to the workforce, women in countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh often have limited control over assets and decision-making power. This lack of agency, tied to traditional kinship structures, contrasts with the more equitable land ownership patterns observed in Bhutan due to matrilineal inheritance. The article implicitly calls for greater recognition of women's roles and rights in climate adaptation and migration policies, a perspective that resonates deeply within South Asian societies grappling with these interconnected issues.

I could do tailoring, but with caring for the family and animals, I don’t have any time.

· DarjiA woman in Nepal expressing the constraints on her time due to domestic and caregiving responsibilities.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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