Rights-based civil society groups have urged urgent action to protect women during disasters, emphasizing their right to physical, mental, and reproductive healthcare and security.

They stressed that women often suffer long-term physical and emotional harm due to a lack of awareness, sensitivity, and inadequate emergency services. They called for the protection of women to be a top priority in all disaster relief and service delivery efforts.

The appeal was made during a virtual press conference organised by the National Committee for the Observation of International Rural Women's Day on Monday.

The event was chaired by Shamima Akhtar, Chairperson of the National Committee for International Rural Women's Day Observation, and moderated by Ferdous Ara Rumee, the Secretariat Coordinator of the committee. Khadijatul Kubra, Program Officer of COAST Foundation, presented the keynote paper.

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Speakers highlighted the physical, financial, and emotional strain women face during and after disasters, which often goes unrecognised. They emphasized the importance of women-friendly and inclusive initiatives, involving both government and non-government agencies, to address the challenges faced by women during disasters.

In her keynote, Khadijatul Kubra mentioned that over 5.1 million people have been affected by floods in the eastern region this year.” Low-income and marginalised communities, especially women and children, are the hardest hit. Women often spend nights on rooftops or boats to protect their belongings and livestock, while children fall ill due to exposure to wet conditions.”

Women, particularly those menstruating, face significant challenges in maintaining hygiene due to a lack of clean water and sanitary supplies, she said adding pregnant women are at even greater risk as reproductive health services are often insufficient during disasters. “Overcrowded shelters, lack of separate toilets for women, and insufficient clean water exacerbate these issues, undermining women's safety and dignity.”

Committee member Mothura Tripura pointed out that the abortion rate in the eastern regions has increased due to stress from floods, loss of assets, malnutrition, and lack of care. She called for emergency reproductive health services for pregnant women during disasters.

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Ferdous Ara Rumee highlighted the specific risks faced by pregnant women in disaster situations and urged for comprehensive awareness programs on reproductive health, in collaboration with local communities and health workers