Socio-Economic, Communication and Psychological Characteristics of Rural Women from Migrant Households in Uttarakhand, India

Aim: Majority of the rural population in the hills either survives on subsistence agriculture or migrates for better livelihood opportunities.

Background: The Uttarakhand state has witnessed significant changes in its demographic structure with slow decadal growth of population in the hilly regions during the period 2001-2011. The high incidence of male out-migration has altered the general demographics and socio-cultural framework of the state, resulting in various changes in the lives of rural women. Rural women face greater vulnerability and various problems due to male out-migration and limited livelihood opportunities. This study attempted to find socio-economic, communication and psychological characteristics of rural women from migrant households.

Study Design: The descriptive research design was used to meet the objective of the study.

Methodology: The study was purposively carried out in Almora district of Uttarakhand. Out of the total 11 blocks, one block i.e. Dwarahat was selected randomly. Two villages viz. Talli Mirai and Kaphara were selected randomly and rural women (18-55 years) were choosen. With help of census method 112 respondents were studied.

Results: The findings of the study revealed that majority of the rural women were in the age group of 31- 42 years, mostly married; majority of respondents belonged to General category, had middle level (upto class 8th) educational qualifications, had a medium-sized (4-7 members) nuclear family, had small land holding (0.08- 0.44 acre), involved in farming activities and had low monthly income (Rs 2000-6000). Only 25.00 percent of respondents had received training in the last three years. Majority of them categorized under medium level of innovativeness (58.93%), slightly more than half of the respondents (52.68%) had medium level of change proneness. Majority of respondents (65.18%) belonged to medium category of economic motivation and about (62.50%) had medium level of risk preference.