International Rescue Committee (IRC) has published its need assessment report where the effects of climate change and natural disasters on women and girls were focused. 

Due to climate change the frequency of natural disasters has risen significantly, and it’s directly affecting the people who live in coastal areas of Bangladesh, said the report.

Along with research farm DM WATCH, IRC took initiative to do the needs assessment report on disaster-prone areas like Barishal, Khulna, Shatkhira, and Bhola.

According to this multi-sectoral needs assessment report, due to a lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health (SRH), many women in these areas are living their lives without getting any proper treatment or discussion about it, as a result, they are facing major health issues in the long run.

 During a disaster, 66.9% of women and girls don’t feel comfortable going to the shelter due to a lack of safety and proper amenities such as toilets, it said. 

The report shows how climate change and frequent disasters affect school dropout of children, child marriage, gender-based violence, loss of income, and many other factors. 

On 7th March 2024, IRC organized a symposium in Dhaka’s Crown Plaza to reveal the report. Md. Mijanur Rahman, Director General, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief attended as the chief guest.

“Despite various limitations, we made a separate room for lactating mothers in the cyclone shelters. We are making disaster-resilient infrastructures so those can be used as cyclone shelters,” he said.

IRC’s country director Hasina Rahman said, ‘We need to ensure initiatives that  are inclusive and empowering, considering the diverse needs, perspectives, and priorities of different social groups, including women, youth, indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities.’ 

Along with the report findings, a panel discussion was also organized where people from different sectors such as NGOs, Govt. Ministry, Research Farms, and University Professors joined and tried to explore the solution of climate threat in Bangladesh’s coastal areas. 

Research-based organization Center for Participatory Research and Development’s (CPRD) chief executive Md. Shamsuddoha mentioned, “We only see the success in disaster response as reduced human death loss. But the people who are going to the cyclone shelters, are not so aware of their rights. We need to shift our focus to that.” 

In disaster-prone areas, gender-based violence such as sexual harassment is so common that it is putting women and girls in long-term physical and mental trauma.

According to the report, the major driver behind gender-based violence is poverty (73.4%) and income loss (68%). Satkhira has the highest rate of intimate partner violence. In many cases, during disasters due to poverty and income loss, many women are facing forced abortion. 

On the other hand, even though there are hospitals in these remote coastal areas, however during disaster many people are not getting proper and timely treatment. 74.1% of people in these areas do not get treatment, and 70% times the hospitals are closed during natural disasters. 

The symposium was moderated by Shabira Sultana Nupur, Head of Advocacy andCommunication, IRC.

The panel discussion was hosted by IRC’s country director Hasina Rahman.