Social Justice

KEY POINTS

·         A recent paper “Mobility in India, recent trends” highlights that the number of women migrating within India is increasing at a higher rate than men.

·         Marriage continues to play an important role in women migration.

·         But besides this, economic factors such as employment, business and education have gained in importance.

Challenges faced by Women migrants

·         They are forced to work in construction sites and as household help for low wages.

·         They remain invisible and discriminated against in the workforce.

·         This is especially more the case with those in lower-end informal sector occupations.

·         Also they don't have facilities like maternity leave and other such entitlements.

·         Another concern is the lack of access to proper sanitation, with serious health consequences.

·         Migrant women are also more vulnerable to sexual harassment, especially in the hands of agents and contractors.

·         Another persistent issue is the gender pay gap, which is not restricted to lower-end jobs alone.

·         Almost one-third of women employees do not resume work, in the absence of a support system at home for child-caring.

·         This is partly due to the missing gender perspective on internal migration policies. 

·         Government's role in labour migration laws and policies is significant to sustain the momentum on migration.

Way Ahead

·         The government has to ensure a gender-sensitive and rights-based approach in this regard.

·         Securing public spaces for women and creating an enabling infrastructure are essential.

·         Governments have to ensure that they are safe from stranger violence and harassment from employers.

·         Kerala model - Kerala has launched Aawaz, a free health care-cum-insurance scheme for migrant workers.

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