The gender dimension of migration in India: the politics of contemporary space in Orissa and Rajasthan

Much internal migration in India, including the states of Rajasthan and Orissa, is distress-led. Previously issues pertaining to gender were overlooked, because migration tended to be viewed as chiefly a male movement, with women either residual in the process, or dependent followers. Contemporary migration is taking place in a world marked by a deeper belief in the importance of equality of opportunity across socio-political divides. This article stresses the need to analyse migration through the differential experiences of women and of men in the context of a highly gendered world.     

The role of self-help groups in empowering disabled women: a case study in Kathmandu Valley,Nepal

The literature on self-help groups (SHGs) shows a mixed record on empowering women both economically and socially, while the literature on Women with Disabilities (WWDs) highlights the problems of isolation that exacerbate their disadvantages. This article, asking whether SHGs can empower WWDs, is based on a study conducted in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It concludes that being an SHG member is useful for gaining employment that leads to better recognition in the family and society. However, employment opportunities and organisational experiences mean that the benefits are not equally shared among all members.     

A confluence of Fair Trade and organic agriculture in southern India

Although the confluence of Fair Trade and organic agriculture has become a salient phenomenon, they contradict each other at the production level: Fair Trade focuses on specific products, while organic agriculture targets production units. This article explores how Southern small-scale producers cope with this discrepancy, by observing one farmers' group's attempt to obtain the two certifications in India. This case study identifies stakeholders who react to the two certifications differently under different livelihood strategies. Combining the two initiatives may not always be the best practice for realising poverty reduction and environmental conservation –aims which the initiatives have in common.     

Women and globalisation: challenges and opportunities facing construction workers in contemporary India

This article identifies the opportunities and constraints faced by female construction workers in urban India, citing empirical research conducted in the city of Ahmedabad. The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) conducted three surveys in 1998, 2003, and 2007 to learn more about the needs and priorities of construction workers in the context of economic globalisation. While enthusiastically endorsing the role that training and certification can play in providing skilled women with opportunities for quality employment, the author emphasises the need for wider policy intervention at the state and national levels to ensure that such programmes have replicable, sustainable, and gender-equitable results.     

The role of non-timber forest products in poverty reduction in India: prospects and problems

The vast natural resources of India's forests, including non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as medicinal and aromatic plants, leaves, fruits, seeds, resins, gums, bamboos, and canes, offer employment that provides up to half the income of about 25 per cent of the country's rural labour force. However, poor harvesting practices and over-exploitation in the face of increasing market demand are threatening the sustainability of these resources, and thus the livelihoods of forest-dependent tribal communities. This article analyses the role of NTFPs in livelihoods-improvement initiatives and considers recent initiatives intended to enhance their conservation and sustainable management. It recommends policies to optimise the potential of NTFPs, both to support rural livelihoods and to contribute to India's social, economic, and environmental well-being.     

Making housemaid remittances work for low-income families in Sri Lanka

In rural Sri Lanka, remittances from housemaids working in the Middle East figure prominently in household livelihood strategies. This article examines the impact of housemaid remittances on living standards and suggests measures to maximise the benefits of remittances for recipient households while minimising the personal and financial costs of migration. The effectiveness of migration as a household strategy depends on a decent overseas job with a reliable income, a reduction in the costs of migrating and remitting, and the responsible management of household welfare and finances by recipients, including the maintenance of local income sources while the migrant is away.     

Gender,energy, and empowerment: a case study of the Rural Energy Development Program in Nepal

Rural women in general, and mountain women in particular, are greatly involved in managing household energy systems in Nepal. Alternative energy technologies have a high potential to reduce women's workloads and improve their health status, as well as increasing efficient energy supply. Interventions in rural energy are primarily aimed at reducing firewood use and increasing economic growth through rural electrification, rather than aiming to reduce human drudgery, especially that of women. Hence, such intervention takes place without considering the needs, roles, interests, and potential of rural women, even though women are the primary users and managers of rural energy resources. This article aims to analyse the gender implications of rural energy technologies in Kavre district, where the Rural Energy Development Program (REDP) has been implemented, especially in terms of saving women's labour and increasing socio-economic opportunities for women.     

Dynamics of remittance practices and development: Bangladeshi overseas migrants

Remittances from migrant workers play a significant role in keeping the economy of Bangladesh vibrant, adding around six per cent to the country's GDP and helping to maintain the balance of payments. This article examines remittance flows from Hong Kong and Malaysia to Bangladesh; the dynamics of remittance practices; and the impact on the well-being of migrant families. Data were collected from 126 labour migrants (56 in Hong Kong and 70 in Malaysia) between November 2004 and October 2006. The article presents empirical data showing that while remittances are significant component of the Bangladeshi economy, a considerable amount goes to ‘unproductive’ schemes. Hence remittances at the micro level that do not significantly contribute to increasing household capacities fail to bring about the anticipated sustainable development at the macro level.

La dynamique des pratiques d'envoi de fonds et le développement : migrants bangladais à l'étranger

Les envois de fonds par les travailleurs migrants jouent un rôle considérable dans le maintien du dynamisme de l'économie du Bangladesh, car ils comptent pour environ six pour cent du PIB du pays et contribuent à maintenir la balance des paiements. Cet article examine les transferts d'argent de Hong Kong et de Malaisie vers le Bangladesh, la dynamique des pratiques d'envois de fonds et l'impact sur le bien-être des familles migrantes. Des données ont été recueillies parmi 126 ouvriers (56 à Hong Kong et 70 en Malaisie) entre novembre 2004 et octobre 2006. Cet article présente des données empiriques qui montrent que, si les envois de fonds constituent effectivement un élément considérable de l'économie bangladaise, une quantité importante va vers des programmes « non productifs ». Ainsi, les envois de fonds au niveau micro qui n'apportent pas une contribution importante à l'accroissement des capacités des ménages ne donnent pas lieu au développement durable prévu au niveau macro.

Dinâmicas de práticas de remessa e desenvolvimento: imigrantes bengaleses

As remessas feitas por trabalhadores imigrantes desempenham um papel significativo em manter a economia de Bangladesh vibrante, adicionando cerca de seis por cento do PIB do país e ajudando a manter o balanço de pagamentos. Este artigo examina os fluxos de remessa de Hong Kong e Malásia para Bangladesh, as dinâmicas das práticas de remessa e o impacto sobre o bem-estar das famílias de imigrantes. Os dados foram coletados de 126 trabalhadores imigrantes (56 em Hong Kong e 70 na Malásia) entre novembro de 2004 e outubro de 2006. O artigo apresenta dados empíricos mostrando que embora as remessas sejam um componente significativo da economia de Bangladesh, um montante considerável vai para esquemas “improdutivos”. Assim, as remessas no nível micro que não contribuem significativamente para melhorar as condições da família, não conseguem promover o desenvolvimento sustentável previsto no nível macro.

La dinámica de las remesas y el desarrollo: los migrantes de Bangladesh en el extranjero

Las remesas de los trabajadores migrantes constituyen una parte importante de la economía de Bangladesh ya que representan el seis por ciento del PIB del país y contribuyen a mantener el equilibrio de la balanza de pagos. Este ensayo analiza los flujos de remesas de Hong Kong y Malasia hacia Bangladesh, la dinámica de cómo se utilizan las remesas y su impacto en el bienestar de las familias de los migrantes. Se recopilaron estadísticas de 126 trabajadores migrantes (56 en Hong Kong y 70 en Malasia) entre noviembre de 2004 y octubre de 2006. Los datos empíricos que presenta el ensayo demuestran que, si bien las remesas son un componente significativo de la economía de Bangladesh, una parte considerable se destina a actividades “improductivas”. Por lo tanto, las remesas a nivel micro que no contribuyen de manera significativa a mejorar las condiciones de los hogares no aportan al desarrollo sustentable a nivel macro que sería deseable.     

Towards ethically sound participatory research with marginalised populations: experiences from India

Participatory research is increasingly being used with poor and marginalised populations in developing countries. However, there has been relatively little attention paid to ethical considerations in participatory research. We argue that there is a need for additional strategies to promote ethically sound participatory research, especially when working with marginalised groups. We present our experiences from a participatory research initiative with an indigenous population in rural India, in which we developed and implemented a Code of Research Ethics and sought community consent as well as individual consent. The challenges that we faced and how we attempted to overcome them are also discussed.

Dans le sens de recherches participatives robustes sur le plan éthique avec des populations marginales : expériences d'Inde

Les recherches participatives sont de plus en plus utilisées avec des populations pauvres et marginalisées dans les pays en développement. Cependant, une attention relativement faible a été accordée aux considérations éthiques dans les recherches participatives. Nous soutenons qu'il est nécessaire d'adopter des stratégies supplémentaires pour promouvoir des recherches participatives robustes sur le plan éthique, en particulier au moment de travailler avec des groupes marginalisés. Nous présentons nos expériences d'une initiative de recherche participative avec une population autochtone dans une zone rurale de l'Inde, dans le cadre de laquelle nous avons élaboré et mis au point un Code d'éthique en matière de recherche et tenté d'obtenir le consentement de la communauté ainsi que celui des individus. Les défis auxquels nous nous sommes heurtés et la manière dont nous avons tenté de les relever font aussi l'objet d'une discussion.

Em direção a uma pesquisa participativa eticamente s?lida com populaçóes marginalizadas: experiéncias da Índia

A pesquisa participativa está cada vez mais sendo utilizada com populaçóes pobres e marginalizadas em países em desenvolvimento. Porém, tem havido relativamente pouca atenção a consideraçóes éticas na pesquisa participativa. Argumentamos que há uma necessidade de estratégias adicionais para promover pesquisa participativa eticamente s?lida, especialmente quando se está trabalhando com grupos marginalizados. Apresentamos nossas experiéncias a partir de uma iniciativa de pesquisa participativa com uma população nativa na zona rural da ëndia, na qual desenvolvemos e implementamos um C?digo de èica de Pesquisa e buscamos o consentimento da comunidade e também o consentimento individual. Os desafios que enfrentamos e o modo como tentamos superá-los também são discutidos.

Hacia una investigación participativa ética con poblaciones marginadas: experiencias de India

La investigación participativa se aplica cada vez más con poblaciones pobres y marginadas de los países en desarrollo. Sin embargo, se ha prestado poca atención a los aspectos éticos de este tipo de investigación. Los autores sostienen que sería conveniente contar con nuevas estrategias para promover la investigación participativa con sólidas bases éticas, en especial a la hora de trabajar con grupos marginados. Los autores presentan los resultados de una investigación participativa con una población indígena del sector rural de India, donde elaboraron e implementaron un Código de Ética para la Investigación que incluía el consentimiento tanto comunitario como individual. El ensayo también expone cómo los autores afrontaron los retos que surgieron.     

What has the World Development Report 2008 to say about Indian agriculture?

It has been two years since the World Bank launched its World Development Report (WDR) 2008. The Report made a number of observations, based on research papers and reports contributed by various economists and scholars. This review essay assesses the prospects and problems associated with Indian agriculture in the light of the Report.     

Competitiveness and decent work in Global Value Chains: substitutionary or complementary?

Global Value Chains (GVCs) serve as significant sources of employment for developing countries, with various impacts upon their labour markets and workers. While participation in GVCs is important for economic upgrading, there is concern about a ‘race to the bottom’ happening in global competition. This paper attempts to understand how economic upgrading and decent working conditions interact in the proliferating GVCs, by looking at the garment exporting countries in Asia. It argues that worker profiles as well as local economic and labour market conditions have important implications on how competitiveness plays out in terms of working conditions.

Concurrence et travail décent dans les chaînes de valeur mondiales : substitutionnaires ou complémentaires?

Les chaînes de valeur mondiales (CVM) constituent des sources considérables d'emploi pour les pays en développement, avec divers impacts sur leurs marchés du travail et leur main-d'?uvre. Si la participation aux CVM est importante pour le développement économique, il y a néanmoins des inquiétudes concernant une « course vers le bas » dans la concurrence mondiale. Ce document tente de comprendre comment le développement économique et les conditions de travail décentes entrent en interaction dans les CVM en prolifération, en examinant les pays exportateurs de textiles en Asie. Il soutient que les profils des ouvriers, ainsi que les conditions locales économiques et du marché de la main d'?uvre, ont d'importantes implications sur la manière dont la concurrence se manifeste dans les conditions de travail.

Competitividade e trabalho decente em Cadeias Globais de Valor: substituição ou complementaridade?

As Cadeias Globais de Valor (GVCs) servem como fontes importantes de emprego para países em desenvolvimento, com vários impactos sobre seus mercados de trabalho e trabalhadores. Embora a participação nas GVCs seja importante para a melhoria econômica, há a preocupação de haver uma “corrida para baixo” na competição global. Este artigo visa compreender como a melhoria econômica e condições de trabalho decentes interagem na proliferação das GVCs, analisando os países exportadores de roupa na Ásia. Ele argumenta que os perfis dos trabalhadores e também as condições locais do mercado econômico e de trabalho têm implicações importantes no modo como a competitividade acontece em termos de condições de trabalho.

Competitividad y trabajo digno en las Cadenas de Valor Mundiales: ¿sustituyen o complementan?

Las Cadenas de Valor Mundiales (CVM) son importantes fuentes de empleo en los países en desarrollo y producen efectos diversos en los mercados de empleo y en los trabajadores. Si bien las CVM pueden ser importantes para el mejoramiento económico, es preocupante la “competencia para bajar los estándares” que resulta de la competitividad mundial. Este ensayo intenta descubrir cómo el mejoramiento económico y las condiciones de empleo dignas se articulan en las CVM en rápido crecimiento analizando los países exportadores de prendas de vestir de Asia. El ensayo sostiene que el grado de capacitación de los trabajadores, la situación económica y las condiciones del mercado laboral son factores importantes a la hora de analizar cómo la competitividad afecta las condiciones de trabajo.     

Project ‘RAMBO’: an initiative to improve rickshaw pullers’ earnings

Rickshaw pulling is a large, labour-intensive, unorganised sector in India, involving 8 million individuals belonging to the lowest social strata. The article describes an initiative to increase the daily earnings of rickshaw pullers by training them to retail branded products, on a ‘bulk-buying retail-selling’ model. The article reports on a project that began with 30 rickshaw pullers in Jaunpur, a semi-urban district of eastern India. Critical issues related to the sustainability and future of such projects on a large scale are discussed.     

Women's economic empowerment through microfinance in Cambodia

The use of microfinance to enhance income generation and job opportunities among the poor is a popular tool for governments and non-governmental organisations involved in raising standards of living in developing countries. Providing very poor families with small loans to invest in their micro enterprises, Village Bank empowers them to create their own jobs, increase their incomes, and increase their families' well-being. As women are more likely to spend the majority of their personal incomes on improving the family situation, this economic empowerment greatly benefits their children, who are generally more likely to attend school and have better nutrition.

Autonomisation économique des femmes à travers le microfinancement au Cambodge

L'utilisation du microfinancement pour améliorer la génération de revenus et les possibilités de travailler parmi les pauvres est un outil puissant pour les gouvernements et les organisations non gouvernementales qui tentent d'améliorer le niveau de vie dans les pays en développement. Les Banques villageoises, en fournissant aux familles pauvres des prêts destinés à être investis dans des microentreprises, confèrent à ces familles les moyens de créer leurs propres emplois, d'accroître leurs revenus et d'améliorer leur bien-être. Comme les femmes sont plus susceptibles de consacrer la majeure partie de leurs revenus personnels à améliorer la situation de la famille, cette autonomisation économique profite considérablement à leurs enfants, lesquels ont ainsi généralement plus de chances d'être scolarisés et mieux nourris.

Empoderamento econômico das mulheres através de microfinanças no Camboja

O uso de microfinanças para aumentar a geração de renda e oportunidades de trabalho entre os pobres é uma ferramenta popular para governos e organizações não-governamentais envolvidos em elevar os padrões de vida nos países em desenvolvimento. Oferecendo a famílias muito pobres pequenos empréstimos para que invistam em suas microempresas, o Village Bank as empodera para criar seus próprios empregos, aumentar suas rendas e intensificar o bem-estar de suas famílias. Como é mais provável que as mulheres gastem a maioria de suas rendas pessoais para melhorar a situação da família, este empoderamento econômico beneficia imensamente seus filhos pois, em geral, é mais provável que eles frequentem a escola e tenham uma melhor nutrição.

El empoderamiento económico de la mujer mediante microfinanzas en Camboya

Las microfinanzas son un mecanismo muy utilizado por los gobiernos y las organizaciones no gubernamentales para elevar los niveles de vida en los países en desarrollo dado que estimulan la generación de ingresos y crean más oportunidades de empleo entre los pobres. A través de pequeños préstamos para la inversión en microempresas, el Banco Village ofrece la posibilidad de que las familias más pobres generen sus propios empleos, aumenten sus ingresos y eleven su nivel de bienestar. Dado que son las mujeres las que invierten la mayor parte de sus ingresos personales en mejorar la situación de sus familias, su empoderamiento económico aporta grandes beneficios para los hijos, quienes en general tienen niveles más elevados de asistencia escolar y de nutrición.     

Why is basic service access worse in slums? A synthesis of obstacles

Many residents of urban areas face joint obstacles to basic service access, but these barriers are more prevalent and severe in slum settlements. Analyses of obstacles have typically been conducted in a piecemeal rather than synthetic framework and have focused on access to single services rather than the range of services needed to support household welfare. By contrast, this study uses data from fieldwork in four slum settlements situated in Hyderabad, India to develop a typology synthesising the obstacles – economic, spatial, social, institutional, and political – to the full range of service access desired by residents. Economic differences explain little of the access deficit within this population. While social and institutional obstacles are more likely to explain slum formation and residence over the long term, variation in spatial and political factors present the most acute short-term access barriers. The article concludes by suggesting the most promising means for slum residents and supporting stakeholders to overcome multi-faceted obstacles.     

Pro-poor values in agricultural research management: PETRRA experiences in practice

PETRRA was an agricultural research-management project which used a values-based approach in project design, planning, and implementation. Through an experiential learning process, agricultural research and development (R&D) institutes, NGOs, private agencies, and community-based organisations rediscovered and improved the understanding of their strengths in meeting development commitments. The project successfully showed how values-based research can meaningfully be implemented and a sustainable pro-poor impact achieved.     

Does microfinance alleviate poverty and inequality? Studying self-help groups in Bodoland,Assam

This article aims to assess the impact of microfinance through a government-sponsored SHG–bank linkage programme (SBLP) of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in India, on poverty alleviation, employment, and achievement of financial inclusion in the Bodoland area of Assam. Empirical results from an impact evaluation showed that the programme had a positive and statistically significant impact on the monthly income, employment days, and financial inclusion level of participants of the SHG programme, compared to a control group of non-participants.