03767nas a2200265 a 450000500170000000800410001703500150005810000200007324501540009326000670024730000430031449000300035750001360038750200580052352025210058165000330310265000360313565000310317170000340320270000560323670000420329271000400333481000620337485600650343620260818143855.0260619s20269999th u  ms t    000   eng d  a.b125098141 aDalia, Hosneara10aInternational labor migration and changing household dynamics :banalyzing gender norms and socio-economic impacts on left-behind women in Bangladesh  aPathum Thani, Thailand :bAsian Institute of Technology,c2026  a164 leaves :bill.+e1 Online resource1 aThesis ;vno. no.GD-26-08  aA thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in  Gender and Development Studies  aThesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2026  aIn today{u2019}s Bangladesh, International Labor Migration has become a significant livelihood  strategy for many households of both rural and urban contexts. While migration contributes to  economic improvement through remittance, it also reshapes household dynamics and gender  relations. This study has explored the gendered impacts of international labor migration on the  gender norms and socio-economic changes of left-behind women (wives) in migrant families  in Bangladesh. In addition to this, a comparative analysis between rural and urban contexts is  employed to understand variations in experiences and outcomes.The study adopts a qualitative research approach, using in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 23  wives of migrant workers (12 rural and 11 urban) and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 7  stakeholders, including local government representatives, NGO officials, and experts in  migration and gender. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify patterns related  to gender norms, decision-making, economic participation, and adaptation strategies.The findings reveal that migration has improved household socio-economic conditions,  including increased income, asset accumulation, and investment in children{u2019}s education. In  some cases, women gain access to financial resources and participate in household decision making, indicating emerging forms of empowerment. However, these changes remain  conditional and uneven. Women often face increased workload, social stigma (2shami bidesh3  labeling), mobility restrictions, and continued patriarchal control, particularly in rural areas.  Urban women experience relatively greater flexibility and opportunities, while rural women  remain more constrained by joint family structures and traditional norms. The study also  highlights various adaptation strategies adopted by women, including reliance on religious  practices, engagement in small-scale income-generating activities etc. Despite demonstrating  resilience and adaptability, women{u2019}s empowerment remains negotiated rather than absolute.Overall, the study concludes that international labor migration produces mixed outcomes,  enhancing socio-economic conditions while simultaneously reinforcing gender inequalities. It  emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive migration policies, community awareness, and  institutional support to ensure that the benefits of migration translate into meaningful and  sustainable empowerment for left-behind women in Bangladesh.  0aWomen immigrantszBangladesh 0aWomen migrant laborzBangladesh 0aLabor mobilityzBangladesh1 aBanerjee, Paula,eChairperson0 aDuanghathai Buranajaroenkij,eExamination Committee1 aPal, Indrajit,eExamination Committee2 aAIT Scholarship,eScholarship Donor2 aAsian Institute of Technology.tThesis ;vno. no.GD-26-08403Full-Textuhttp://203.159.5.9/ait-thesis/detail.php?q=B24572