Male migration and the transformation of gender roles in agriculture in South-East Asia

Zuzana Procházková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Migration of male figures is the most typical strategy utilized in rural areas, with the intention to increase the wellbeing of the individual migrating as well as the household that they are leaving behind. The lack of a male figure causes a shift in the traditional gender roles. This bachelor thesis focuses on Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand in its analysis of the impact that male migration has had on the evolution of gender roles in the agricultural sector throughout Southeast Asia. The study is based on a literature review that examines previous studies on the subject, including the ways in which male migration has led to changes in conventional gender roles and increasing responsibilities on women in agricultural production. The first part of the thesis consists of a summary of the most important push and pull factors for migration, characteristics of migrants, preferences on reasons for movement, and types of migration. Another focus is placed on the gender roles that vary between countries and how those differences affect the distribution of labour, decision making power and shift of these factors during absence of male head of the household. In addition, this thesis investigates the gendered implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and male migration in Southeast Asia, specifically the ways in which male migrants and their families were impacted by travel restrictions and economic slowdowns. The findings suggest that male migration has had significant effects on gender roles in agriculture in Southeast Asia, with women taking on more responsibilities and facing increased burdens as a result of the migration of their husbands or sons. Specifically, the findings suggest that women have taken on more responsibilities and increased burdens as a result of male migration. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exasperated the gendered effects that male migration has had on agriculture, putting women in a position where they face increased financial and health dangers.

Keywords

labour migration, decision-making, women, farm production, work burden, feminization

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 14. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Tereza Pilařová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme:
International Cooperation in Agricultural and Rural Development