Gender analysis of dried fish consumption among Myanmar migrants in Mahachai Subdistrict, Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand | |
| Author | Nang Lun Kham Synt |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-23-05 |
| Subject(s) | Foreign workers, Burmese--Thailand--Samut Sakhon (Province) Dried fish--Thailand--Samut Sakhon (Province) |
| Note | A thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The dried fish is a reliable source of nourishment for the people of Myanmar, regardless of their socioeconomic situation (Lin et al., 2022), and according to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey, 2006, the typical person consumes 20 kg of fish and fish products annually (Needham & Funge-Smith, 2015). The research on the consumption of dried fish is highly limited and focuses primarily on the general consumption patterns of the research region (see http://driedfishmatters.org/). The research focuses on dried fish consumption in terms of gender perspective is quite limited. The research was conducted in order to have an understanding of the dried fish consumption of Myanmar people by the difference in gender with inclusion of their identity such as age, ethnicity, occupation and origin, so on. The research was carried with approach of the mixed of quantitative and qualitative research methods by conducting the questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews and Key-informant interviews among the various Myanmar migrants who are working in different employments in Mahachai sub-district of Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand. Migrants of diverse ethnicities and origin states and areas continue to consume dried fish products at the same rate in their home country and in their new environment. There are no statistically significant variations in the proportion of dried fish consumed by male and female migrants, and the indicated proportions are comparable. The decision to include dried fish items in one's daily diet is without regard to one's gender identity— whether it be male or female—and is also not connected to other fundamental identities like age, occupation, ethnicity, social networks, and so forth. The average amount of dried fish products consumed by a female migrant is not significantly different from that of a male migrant, and both genders consume around 0.6 kg of dried fish products each week in total. Migrants from Myanmar consume somewhat less dried fish in their new surroundings than they did before to migration. Household members' gender roles shift as a result of migration, which in turn alters their preferences for and consumption of dried fish products in term of decreasing in the quantity, frequency and types of consumed dried fish products different. Burmese migrants typically consume dried Snakehead fish, dried Anchovy, fermented fish (Nga-Chin), and other dried fish varieties. Both in terms of total v consumption and consumption in the previous week, dried shrimp and fish paste are the most popular dried fish items among Myanmar migrants in Thailand. Migrants from Myanmar consume an average of four dried fish dishes per week, with a minimum of two and a maximum of ten meals per week.The most plentiful source of dried fish products for Myanmar migrants is the market near to their houses, followed by grocery stores that sell Burmese dry foods and grocery items and Burmese entrepreneurs who sell their own home made dried fish products. Authorities and local organizations should prioritize nutrition knowledge and establish a policy framework for small businesses to benefit both the host country and migrant populations. Further research on the Burmese dried fish supply channels and empowerment of women migrants are recommended. |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chatterjee, Joyee S.;Tsusaka, Takuji W. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Dried Fish Matters (DFM);Asian Institute of Technology Scholarships |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023 |