An event titled "Annual Community of Practice (CoP) Network Convention - 2024," organized by the Manusher Jonno Foundation under the project "Women for Climate Resilient Society (Phase 2)," has been held focusing on the impact of climate change on women and the necessary actions to be taken.
The convention took place on Sunday morning at the Brac Center in Mohakhali, funded by UN Women.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the advisor for the environment ministry, said that mothers suffer the most due to climate change.
She said: "At the very end of state documents, there is a chapter on gender. This is because it has to be mentioned; otherwise, it does not appear in psychological discussions. However, women, particularly mothers, face the most hardships and sufferings due to climate change."
She further said that the funding for the Loss and Damage Fund is a historical obligation of developed countries, yet they are not providing the amount promised to developing nations like ours.
Moreover, she pointed out that local issues have not been brought to the national level, and the national stakeholders have not been taught to think about solving them for many years.
Rizwana added: "We do not take small initiatives at the right time, which makes it difficult to address larger problems later on."
Special guest Maria Stridsman, head of development cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh, said: "Bangladesh contributes very little to climate change but suffers significantly. In addressing the effects of climate change, Bangladesh has to rely heavily on countries that emit high levels of carbon. However, we must tackle the gender-specific impacts ourselves."
Gitanjali Singh, country representative for UN Women, stated: "Today is a wonderful day. Women leaders from various parts of the country have gathered here to share their experiences and solutions for tackling the climate crisis. Bangladesh has long demonstrated that transformative adaptation can be achieved through grassroots women’s leadership."
During the event, the "Women’s Climate Action Network," comprising 97 women-led organizations, was announced, and five female entrepreneurs were awarded the "Women’s Role in Addressing Climate Change Award, 2024." The awardees are Roshna Khatun from Kurigram, Roushon Akhtar from Cox's Bazar, Surati Begum from Jamalpur, Rahima Khatun, and Shefali Khatun.
In his closing remarks, Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), expressed his joy at gathering so many grassroots women leaders together, highlighting the presence of a climate change warrior and women activist as the chief guest.
He said: "I always believe that the women of our country can resolve the social issues arising from climate change.”