Coastal and indigenous women, among the most affected by climate change, have called for stronger inclusion in climate policymaking, saying their lived experiences and knowledge are largely excluded from environmental governance and development planning.
The call came during a community dialogue titled “Climate, Women and Women’s Health”, held in Datinakhali area of Burigoalini Union under Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira on the occasion of World Environment Day.
The event was organized by Santal, a rights-based organization working with women, indigenous and marginalized communities, in collaboration with Bonjibi Nari Unnayan Sangathan and SAYA (Social Action for Youth Alliance). Women forest workers, fishers, farmers, tiger widows and members of the Munda community took part in the discussion.
Participants described deteriorating living conditions driven by rising salinity, shortages of safe drinking water, livelihood insecurity and increasingly frequent climate-induced disasters. Many said they are forced to collect water from distant sources and carry heavy containers on their heads or waists every day—work that often continues even during pregnancy, posing risks to maternal and child health.
They also reported a rise in climate-related health problems, including skin diseases, reproductive health complications, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, dehydration, joint pain and chronic weakness. According to participants, prolonged exposure to saline water, combined with limited access to healthcare, has turned many of these conditions into long-term health issues.
In several areas, they said ponds, canals and tube wells have become saline, forcing communities to depend on unsafe water for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing. Pregnant women, adolescents, elderly people and those with pre-existing illnesses were identified as the most vulnerable.
Child marriage was also flagged as a growing concern. Participants said climate-driven poverty, health stress and livelihood instability are pushing many families to marry off daughters early, contributing to adolescent pregnancy, malnutrition, maternal health risks and rising school dropouts.
Highlighting exclusion from decision-making spaces, a local woman leader said: “During various major meetings and seminars, when we are given the chance to speak about the Sundarbans, we are told we have only two minutes. But the women who are struggling every day with saline water, storms, river erosion, livelihood insecurity and poverty to keep the Sundarbans and the coast alive cannot tell their story in two minutes.”
Participants said the remark reflects the broader exclusion of coastal and indigenous women from policy spaces despite being at the frontline of climate impacts.
The organizers urged government ministries, local authorities, development partners and international climate stakeholders to prioritize women’s health in climate adaptation policies; ensure meaningful participation of coastal and indigenous women in decision-making; strengthen healthcare and research on salinity-related illnesses; expand access to safe water and sanitation; and ensure equitable access to climate finance for marginalized communities.
They stressed that effective climate action requires centring the experiences, knowledge and leadership of affected communities—particularly coastal and indigenous women—in policy and planning.
