Climate-induced migration, Women and Decision-making Power in the Agricultural Wage Sector in Saiss Morocco

Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is highly vulnerable to climate change and is undergoing rapid social and political transformation (Sowers et al., 2011; Waterbury, 2013; Haddad and Shideed, 2013;). This region is projected to have rising temperatures (2-3 C) and declining precipitation (10-30%) in the coming years (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2014). Climate change is affecting rural livelihoods in multiple ways in rural Morocco, and little is known about the gender dynamics of these impacts and related adaptation measures (De Haas 2006; De Haas and Van Rooij 2010; Najjar 2015). In this study we examine the gendered effects of drought-induced migration in rural Morocco for settler migrants and farmers who stay behind in sending communities. Due to state investments in irrigation, the Saiss plains of Morocco are experiencing rural-rural migration as an adaptive strategy for many who are escaping climate change and unemployment to take advantage of labor opportunities in agricultural sectors elsewhere. We examine the wellbeing and decision-making power of male and female migrants in receiving communities (Betit and Sidi Slimane) and women staying behind in sending communities (Ain Jemaa). Our study is timely as worsening climate change effects and increasing intensification and globalization make migration the most viable option for livelihood improvement, particularly in the dry areas of the world. In Saiss, migration comes with prospects of not only more work opportunities in irrigated fruit and vegetable sectors, but also with promise of land and housing in informal settlements. As such, we explore the extent and determinants (age, location, migration and marital status) of decision-making power for male and female wage workers in host communities with regards to work participation and income and asset control. We also examine the decision-making power dynamics for women who are left behind as men migrate from the rainfed area of Ain Jemaa. Very little research has been conducted on nature of household decision-making and its gendered meanings (Acosta et al. 2019; Bernard et al. 2020). We attempt to explore the factors influencing this type of decision-making as well as the underlying meanings. The paper begins with a literature review on decision-making power, gender, migration and work in rural areas. Following, the case study characteristics are presented, which detail how climate change is fueling migration, gender norms in host and sending communities, as well as the gender dynamics in accessing economic opportunities and decision-making power. We end the paper with recommendations to strengthen the women’s decision-making power as migration continues with a focus on strengthening landed property ownership for women.