South Asian Women Migrate Due to Climate Change

Nitya Rao and her team studied over 1,200 households in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal to understand climate-related migration patterns. The research shows women are increasingly moving due to extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, and droughts, often alongside men seeking employment.

In India and Bangladesh, women largely remain to manage farms and care for families while men seek work in cities. However, in Bhutan, women more commonly migrate for employment, sometimes leaving their families behind.

The study found that while women contribute significantly to the workforce, they often lack control over assets and leadership roles, especially in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Access to land is often controlled through family structures.

Women in Bhutan, where matrilineal inheritance is common, tend to have greater land ownership. Migration can empower women by giving them control over their earnings and strengthening their decision-making power within the household.

Researchers noted that climate change can worsen existing inequalities, increasing women’s workloads without improving their access to resources. Further research is needed to understand how to best support women’s land rights and financial inclusion as migration patterns shift and household dynamics evolve.