Impact of COVID-19 on female migrants in India and policy responses

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit human lives in an unusual way, especially in the process of migration. The pandemic has taken umbrage on the livelihood of female migrant workers from irregular sectors, by leaving them completely unpaid. The state-imposed 'lockdown' has proved to be a significant ordeal for many migrant women who are repatriating with families. The inadequate government policies failed to make gender-sensitive and inclusive policies that could give exclusive economic growth. The incongruent policies of the host-state and home-state governments have affected the reverse migration process to a greater extent. They have no choice but to step back from the labour market. The registered participation of female workers is a credible solution to this chronic gender discrimination. In this light, the paper seeks to analyse the impact of government policies on the health and livelihood of female migrants at the advent of COVID-19.