Male-only migration from villages and the challenges face by left behind women

One of the issues discussed recently in the field of migration, is the impact of migration on the women left behind in origin as a vulnerable group, women who are not immigrants, but are affected by its consequences, seriously. The aim of this study was to understand the lived experiences of left behind women and the issues and challenges have faced due to wife's immigration to the other cities. This study has been done with the interpretive phenomenological method on six women living in Khanmirza villages (Lordegan), who were selected by purposive sampling for interviews. Smith's interpretive phenomenological analysis was used for analysis and data management. After analyzing the interviews, ten primary themes and two master themes including "living in limbo" and "unpleasant emotional experiences," was emerged. The results show that although cannot deny the positive economic impact of men migration to prevent their families from falling into poverty, but the emotional and sexual poverty, limited freedom in making decisions, the double burden of maternal and paternal role, the relative independence, psychological burnout, loneliness and deep fear, a sense of constant worry and meaningless life, is the serious cost that women and children left behind should pay. Finally, some research and policy recommendations provided.