Young women in rural Bihar face intersecting challenges of caste discrimination and gender restrictions, though government interventions like JEEViKA are creating new pathways for economic empowerment and social mobility.
Traditional Constraints on Women’s Mobility
Rural Bihar’s patriarchal structure historically confined women to domestic spheres, with caste hierarchies compounding gender-based restrictions. Traditional social norms dictated that “women’s place was in the home,” particularly for upper-caste families where seclusion (purdah) symbolized family honor. For Dalit women, mobility restrictions intersected with caste-based exclusion, creating what scholars term “double marginalization” where both gender and caste identities constrain movement and opportunities.
Impact of Male Migration on Women’s Roles
Male out-migration from Bihar has fundamentally altered gender dynamics in rural communities. With 85% of migration being male-dominated, women increasingly assume responsibility for household management, agricultural activities, and community engagement. This demographic shift has created what researchers call “feminization of agriculture” where women constitute 65% of agricultural workforce despite receiving minimal recognition. One study participant noted: “Earlier, we had to take permission for everything. Now we make decisions ourselves about farming, children’s education, and household matters”.
Government Interventions and Economic Empowerment
The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA) represents a significant intervention targeting women’s economic empowerment. Operating across all 534 blocks in Bihar, JEEViKA mobilizes women from marginalized households, particularly Scheduled Castes and Tribes, into self-help groups. The program has organized over 12 million women into 1.2 million self-help groups, creating institutional platforms for collective action and economic participation. Research demonstrates that JEEViKA participation increases women’s decision-making power in households and enhances their mobility for economic activities.
Caste-Based Variations in Mobility Patterns
Women’s mobility experiences vary significantly across caste lines in rural Bihar. Upper-caste women face stricter traditional restrictions but have greater access to education and economic resources when allowed mobility. Scheduled Caste women, while facing fewer traditional seclusion practices, encounter caste-based discrimination when accessing public services or employment opportunities. OBC women occupy a middle position, with moderate mobility restrictions but growing political participation through panchayat reservations.
Educational Aspirations and Constraints
Young women in Bihar increasingly aspire to education despite structural barriers. The state has achieved significant improvements in female literacy, rising from 33.6% in 2001 to 53.3% in 2011. However, caste intersections remain significant, with Scheduled Caste girls facing higher dropout rates due to discrimination and economic pressures. As one young woman shared: “I want to become a nurse and serve my community, but my family worries about sending me to the city for training”.
Technology and Changing Communication Patterns
Mobile phone penetration has revolutionized communication patterns for rural women in Bihar. Migrant husbands maintain daily contact with wives, enabling women to participate in financial decisions and receive emotional support. However, access to technology remains uneven, with upper-caste and economically better-off households having greater connectivity. Digital literacy programs through JEEViKA have begun addressing these gaps, though progress remains incremental.
Conclusion: While traditional constraints persist, young women in rural Bihar are gradually expanding their mobility and economic participation through government programs and changing demographic patterns.
Further Reading:
Primary Sources Used in Article:
- C3India. (2020). Women and girls in Bihar: Gender report card 2019. C3India Publications. https://www.c3india.org/uploads/news/Bihar_Gender_Report_Card_2019_28th_Jan_2020_FOR_WEB_FILE.pdf
- Kumar, A. (2022). Glimpses of women’s lives in rural Bihar: Impact of male migration. Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 65, 461-485. https://repub.eur.nl/pub/34865/metis_178663.pdf
- Priyadarshini, A. (2018). Tempering patriarchy and reinventing gender: Impact of male outflow on women in rural Bihar. Journal of Migration Affairs, 1(1), 113-135. https://tiss.ac.in/uploads/files/7._Anamika_Priyadarshini_1cJnFHI.pdf
- Aga Khan Foundation. (2024). When girls lead, communities are transformed: The young women redefining possibilities in rural India. AKF Publications. https://akf.org/article/when-girls-lead-communities-are-transformed-the-young-women-redefining-possibilities-in-rural-india/
- Chowdhary, A. (2018). Effectiveness of a community based intervention to delay early marriage among girls: Cluster randomised controlled trial in rural India. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6000967/
Additional Sources Referenced:
- Institute for Human Development. (2015). Gender and poverty in rural Bihar. IHD Publications. https://www.ihdindia.org/rpb/pdf/gender-poverty-bihar-report/Chapter%208.pdf
- Ideas for India. (2021). Urbanisation, gender, and social change: Women’s mobility in north India. Ideas for India. https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/social-identity/urbanisation-gender-and-social-change-women-s-mobility-in-north-india.html
Government and NGO Reports:
- Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA). (2020). Annual progress reports and impact assessments. Government of Bihar.
- Institute for Policy Research and Development. (2023). Women’s groups and political participation: The role of Jeevika in local governance participation. IPRR Publications. https://iprr.impriindia.com/womens-groups-and-political-participation-the-role-of-jeevika-in-local-governance-participation/
Statistical Sources:
- National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). (2019-21). Bihar factsheet. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- Census of India. (2011). Primary census abstract: Bihar. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner.