Consequences of Climate Change and Gender Vulnerability: Bangladesh Perspective

Abstract

Bangladesh’s geographic location and geo-morphological conditions have made the country one of the most vulnerable to weather and climate induced changes. Bangladesh is a land of wetlands, which occupy around 50 percent of the country. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of ecosystems, but wetland habitats of Bangladesh are under constant threats due to climate induced changes and anthropogenic activities. Climate change is causing a rise in sea levels, which already now put wetlands at risk of excessive calamities. Seasonal irregularities and extremes are the main threats to the wetland ecosystem. Anyway, there are important gender perspectives in all aspects of climate change. Women make up a large number of the poor in communities that are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood and are disproportionately vulnerable to and affected by climate change. Moreover, women’s limited access to resources and decision-making processes increases their vulnerability to climate change.

Keywords: climate change, gender, gender vulnerability, Bangladesh

JEL Classification: Q54, I31