Bangladeshi Women are Knowledge Keepers in Mitigating Climate Change

For the past four years, CARE has implemented a gender-climate change initiative in Bangladesh, a country with very high levels of poverty and a deeply engrained patriarchal social structure. The majority of female headed households fall below the poverty line and women’s illiteracy currently sits at approximately 69%. 

CARE has recognized the importance of bringing forth the marginalized voices of women of Bangladesh. Women have vast amounts of knowledge regarding environmental change and coping strategies due to their close connections with the natural environment. If these strategies can be captured and disseminated throughout impoverished communities, vulnerability to long term climate change can be reduced.

Bangladeshi women have been participating in CARE training sessions that focus on household-level interventions. They are able to support each other in the implementation of projects and put forth their own resourceful ideas; for example, a shift from raising chickens to raising ducks in light of increased flood risks.

Incorporating women equally within climate change initiatives has also resulted in the recruitment of female staff. CARE further caters to the needs of these women by, for example, allowing them to use public transportation for field visits, as opposed to motorcycles or bikes.

The confidence of the women to speak in public has increased, as has their participation in some community organizations. Also, within the household, women’s contribution to the family through the agriculture and livelihoods measures is becoming more recognized by their male family members, elevating their status within their own homes.

Climate change affects all people and therefore, as a global issue, it is up to all individuals to take a stand. Show your support for the women of Bangladesh as they strive to make a difference.