A feminist perspective of the differentiated impacts of climate change, adaptation and women’s roles in coastal agriculture in Bangladesh

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Date
2025-03-17
Authors
Ria, Alvira
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Abstract

This thesis research, conducted in Kaliganj Upazila, Satkhira District, Bangladesh, aims to i) identify the key factors driving differentiated climate change impacts on various income groups, particularly women; ii) examine local agricultural adaptation strategies with a focus on women's engagement; and iii) explore the challenges women face in adapting to climate change in agriculture. A mixed-methods approach, using a feminist lens, was employed and data collection involved surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and participant observations Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and thematic categorization, and presented through tables, graphs, and descriptive narration. The findings reveal that women, minorities, and lower socioeconomic groups experience adverse impacts of climate change disproportionately, which are exacerbated by systemic gender disparities and existing social inequalities related to age and minority status. The study highlights the cyclical relationship between climate change and gender inequality, where one reinforces the other. It also identifies coastal agricultural adaptation strategies, such as alternate income sources, salt- and drought-tolerant crops, hybrid high-yielding crops, and rainwater harvesting. Women’s critical role in agriculture is emphasized, while revealing barriers such as limited land rights, wage gaps, gender norms, lack of gender-sensitive technologies, and restricted access to resources. The study also underscores the significance of external social factors in shaping farmers’ adaptive capacity. Recommendations include providing gender-sensitive disaster shelters, accessible credit facilities and agricultural interventions, and creating awareness programs to address gender and social disparities. The study also calls for gender-responsive and inclusive adaptation policies, fostering women and minorities’ participation in decision-making, and ensuring access to education and resources for adaptive capacity.

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climate change, gender inequality, women, agriculture, climate change adaptation
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