Abstract:
A male out migration can have a mixed effect on gender relations between his wife and other
members of the sending household. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact on
rural women’s livelihood of male outmigration in Damboya Woreda Kembta-Tembaro Zone,
SNNPRS. In order to achieve these objectives, descriptive research design was employed, mixed
method (quantitative and qualitative) were employed. Regarding population selection, simple
random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used. Questionnaire, interviews and
document analysis were used as primary data gathering instruments. The findings in this study
have indicated that, before migration decision-making in the study area is often made by the
husband. Women’s decision making status on household management in the household with
grand Mean=3.9. They felt more empowered in decision-making and managerial functions and
they had decisional autonomy in day-to-day household decisions. Women’s decision making
status on chance to move to their entire families and other villages tend to enjoy with grand
mean=4.03, women to be mobile. Remitting cash and goods simultaneously appeared to be the
most popular trend. Women have partial control on remittances and other financial sources of
households. Remittances can also have other negative effects which impact on inequality that
generally depend on which households receive them and how much they receive. In access to
credit and agricultural extension, majority of women agreed with grand mean = 3.85.
Responsibility in child care, majority of women agreed, and majority 73 (58.4%) women agreed
that Hired individuals are working on the farm. This study found that male migration has both
positive and negative impacts on women left behind, policy-makers and communities at grass root levels should try to minimize the negative impacts associated with male migration on women
as these women are major actors in the development process of rural areas. Government and
local bodies should work to raise awareness on gender issues so that women feel more
empowered and can have access to rights.
