New Book Chapter Explores Migration, Livelihoods and Women’s Well-Being in Rural India
New Book Chapter Explores Migration, Livelihoods and Women’s Well-Being in Rural India
TAIMI researcher, Sangeeth Sujatha Sugathan, has co-authored a new book chapter published in the India Migration Report 2025, a Routledge publication that brings together leading research on migration and mobility in contemporary India. The chapter, co-authored with Shefali Bajpai, examines rural livelihood diversification and women’s migration in Jharkhand, India, with a particular focus on well-being outcomes.
Titled Migration, Quality of Life, and Livelihood Diversification among the Extreme Poor Women in Jharkhand, the chapter explores how access to local livelihood opportunities can influence migration decisions and improve quality of life among women living in conditions of extreme poverty.
Drawing on research involving more than 140 women from Adivasi, Dalit, and Other Backward Class communities, the study compares the experiences of women who continue to migrate for work in brick kilns with those who have transitioned to local livelihood activities such as livestock rearing and vegetable cultivation.
The findings reveal significant differences in perceived well-being between the two groups. Women who were able to pursue local livelihoods reported better outcomes in physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, autonomy, and environmental conditions than women engaged in seasonal migration to brick kilns.
The chapter argues that migration should be understood not only through economic indicators but also through broader measures of quality of life and well-being. It highlights how livelihood diversification, social support, and access to local opportunities can expand women’s choices and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.
While grounded in the Indian context, the research speaks to broader international discussions on migration, labour markets, social inclusion, and well-being, themes that are also central to the TAIMI project’s work on understanding the future of work and migrant experiences in changing labour markets!
Congratulations to Sugathan and co-author Shefali Bajpai on this important contribution to migration research.