Intersecting gender and migrant status disadvantages in the experiences of women construction workers: consequences for health and healthcare
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262702Keywords:
Gender, Construction, Intersection, Social determinants of health, Temporary migrantAbstract
Background: Temporary migrants are the backbone of India’s urban construction industry. This form of migration is driven by a range of socio-economic factors. In cities, such migrants live and work in challenging conditions for low wages, with few social and legal protections, and with limited access to social welfare programmes. Little is known about temporary migrant women, whose numbers and economic contributions are likely underestimated. Evidence suggests that disadvantages associated with temporary migrant status and gender impose significant barriers on health and healthcare seeking, but few studies have focused on this marginalized population.
Methods: Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted over a period of 8 months in two temporary migrant settlements on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women construction workers. Intersectional and Social Determinants of Health frameworks were utilized to better understand the influence of temporary migrant status and gender.
Results: Analysis showed links between social determinants of health (labour, income, living conditions) and health and healthcare seeking. Disadvantaging factors associated with both temporary migrant status and gender - lower wages, repetitive labour, lack of protection, precarious employment, and impermanent housing - contributed independently and interactively to poor health; however, temporary migrant women construction workers perceived limited options to address their health concerns. Their concerns extended beyond poor physical health to encompass emotional and psychological dimensions.
Conclusions: The challenges and needs of temporary migrant populations will increase as their numbers grow, suggesting that migration and gender concerns need to be integrated into broader health systems and policies.
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