The Socio-Economic Impacts Of Male Out-Migration on Rural Women: The Case of Babati District, Manyara Region

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic impacts of male out-migration on rural women in Babati District, Manyara Region, and identified the major factors influencing out-migration in the region. It also examined the survival strategies of rural women in the absence of their husbands, and it evaluates the intervention measures to the problem. Findings showed that male out-migration in Babati District has been caused by the push-pull factors including population pressure, shortage of land, conflicts, land degradation and poverty. Pull factors were associated with the need to search for better livelihood, business and employment opportunities. Male out-migration has both positive and negative socio-economic impacts on the women left behind who adopt survival strategies to cope with difficult life through borrowing, consuming premature field crops, reducing the number of meals, selling household assets, agricultural diversification, petty business and migration. The study concludes that male out-migration has more negative than positive impacts to women left behind. It is recommended that the government reduce the rate of male out-migration by providing agricultural incentives, creation of rural markets and employment opportunities, ensuring gender equality in resource distribution, and minimizing rural-urban disparities.