Speakers at a convention in Dhaka on Tuesday said women’s leadership, local knowledge and unpaid care work must be better recognized and integrated into climate adaptation and development policies to build climate-resilient communities.
The remarks came at the Third Annual Community of Practice (CoP) Network Convention 2026, titled “Women Leading Climate Adaptation: Learning and Challenges,” organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) under the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies (Phase II) project with support from UN Women.
Chief guest Dr Md Lutfor Rahman, director general of the Department of Environment, highlighted the need to reduce carbon emissions while recognising women’s role in agriculture and sustainable development.
“Women have historically played a leading role in agriculture and continue to remain at the heart of food production, innovation and community resilience,” he said.
He noted that the Department of Environment is exploring practical measures, including the use of agricultural residues such as straw, to reduce emissions, and stressed greater recognition of women’s contributions in climate adaptation.
Susanne Wadstein, first secretary at the Embassy of Sweden, said climate change, women’s empowerment and sexual and reproductive health are interconnected issues requiring integrated responses.
UN Women deputy representative Navanita Sinha warned of growing challenges in development financing amid global political and economic constraints, urging stronger partnerships and sustained quality interventions.
MJF acting executive director Banasree Mitra Neogi said women’s leadership, unpaid care work and economic contributions must be reflected in national planning and budgeting.
She noted MJF’s advocacy on unpaid care work since 2012, including efforts to measure it through time-use surveys and national accounting mechanisms.
“Our journey has only just begun,” she said, adding that future challenges will include resource constraints and social barriers.
Representatives from the Embassy of Switzerland and Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) also spoke, stressing collective advocacy for women-led climate adaptation.
The event recognized women climate leaders from Kurigram, Jamalpur, Khulna and Satkhira for community resilience work, along with 10 partner organizations for project implementation.
The convention brought together women leaders, practitioners, development partners, researchers, civil society actors and policymakers to discuss progress and future priorities for women-led climate resilience initiatives.