Ideas of India Rithika Kumar on the Impact of Male Migration on Women’s Political Engagement
Oct 5, 2023
Rithika Kumar, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Kellogg Institute, dives into the fascinating dynamics of male migration and its impact on women's political engagement in Bihar, India. She discusses how the absence of men leads to unexpected empowerment among women, who step up to claim their entitlements. The conversation highlights the dual challenges of greater political activity against traditional household expectations and the intricate ways migration transforms societal norms, paving the way for enhanced female agency in politics.
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Male Migration Spurs Women's Political Engagement
- Male out-migration in India leads to the feminization of everyday political engagement by increasing women's presence in political arenas.
- The husband's absence reduces normative restrictions, enabling women to access networks and engage politically.
Panel Data Validates Migration Impact
- Using panel data helps isolate migration's impact on women's political engagement from women's innate capabilities.
- Difference-in-difference analysis shows women's increased political actions are primarily due to male migration, not pre-existing traits.
Household Constraints Restrict Women Politically
- Women's political participation is often a latent preference suppressed by household constraints.
- Removing male presence temporarily lifts these constraints, enabling political engagement which recedes when men return.