Tribal Household Economic Vulnerabilities and Male Out-Migration: Food Security Challenges of Women Left Behind in Kerala’s Hills and Forests

The project studies food security and nutritional challenges of women left behind in scheduled tribe communities in Wayanad and Idukki in India by examining the rural-urban links between male out-migration and food security. It focuses on the lived experiences of women left behind and their strategies to manage food security in the absence of male household members. The study also looks into the role of remittance in addressing the food insecurity challenges faced by migrant households. The objectives of the project include (1) To examine the socio-economic impact of male out-migration on tribal households, with a focus on the role of remittance in addressing food security and nutrition among the tribal migrant household; (2) To analyze food procurement challenges and coping mechanisms of women left behind in tribal settlements; (3) To assess the challenges of women left behind in accessing government welfare programs aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security for tribal households; (4) To document the lived experiences of women left behind when it comes to food insecurity and propose targeted policy recommendations to enhance food security and support systems in tribal communities. The methods consist of 2 participatory workshops in each of the districts, 30 in-depth interviews with tribal women from migrant households, food mapping exercise with 30 migrants, ethnographic observation in selected villages/hamlets, and 10 key informant interviews with welfare officers, tribal leaders, representatives of the Forest Rights Committee (FRC), and NGO representatives.