Changemakers Studio June 2001 - Page 1 - Suraiya Haque / The Price of Rural Migration

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The Price of Rural Migration

Photographs by Shehzad Noorani/Developing Images

Bangladesh's cities have been expanding rapidly, growing by 7 to 11 percent annually due to immigration from poor, rural areas. Altogether, more than 20 million poor people live in Bangladesh's cities. Dhaka, the capital city, absorbs more than one million rural migrants annually.

The portion of rural migrants who are women seeking work is growing. About one-quarter of industrial jobs are held by women, most of whom have migrated to the city from rural areas.

Above: a family from a rural village arrives at Dhaka's train station in search of work

Most rural migrants are nuclear families, leaving their extended family members behind to live in unsanitary city slums. Typically all members of a migrant family must work in order to survive. Upon arrival in the city, women who have lived the sheltered life of a village family must adjust to rigid time schedules and may face harassment and intimidation on their jobs, in the streets and in their homes.

Mothers who have traditionally been able to care for their children now must work as garment factory employees, maid servants, brick breakers, etc. They face great difficulty in getting childcare services during the day, and it is common for the young children of these families to be cared for by a slightly older sister, who sacrifices her own schooling and childhood. In some situations, young children are completely neglected and live in the streets where they are exposed to great risk and receive inadequate nutrition.

Amana (far left) cares for her elder sister's children (pictured with her) in the Pura Bosti (slum) of Dhaka. Amana's elder sister Ayesha migrated to Dhaka in search of work and a better life two years ago. When she found it difficult to look after her own children, she brought Amana to the city from her village to help.

Amana had been living with her mother in the village and attending school. Now Amana helps Ayesha fetch water, clean fish, cook and care for the children. This allows her no time to even think about returning to school.