Climate Change Adaptation Strategies of Women in Disaster Prone Khulna Region in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted on the adaptation strategy of women to climate change in disaster prone Khulna region of Bangladesh and the main objective of the study is to explore the climate change adaptation strategies of women in disaster prone Khulna region in Bangladesh. The study was conducted through the survey method. Purposive sampling techniques were used and the total sample size was 140. Interview schedule was used for data collection from the study area from three villages: naming jabakhali, pankhali and kodumtola in Burigaualini Union of Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira district. Most of the women were married and housewives. Majority of the respondents 70 percent were taken traditional adaptation strategies to adopt with disaster. Majority (62%) percents were taken meal insufficiently and suffered with various health problems. Mainly local adaptation measures like poultry rearing, traditional vegetable cultivation, fish cultivation, day labor, rain water collection etc. were taken by women. Also they have migrated to another place as adaptation measure. Most of them (68%) were faced gender discrimination and violence in family and workplace. Maximum 80 percent of the respondents have no decision making power in family. Maximum (82%) did not participate with community adaptation programme for household workloads and husband apathy. About 70 percent of the respondents did not get financial support from government of non-government organization for the lack of communication and political aggression. This study also found some significant correlation (Pearson c2=17.222 ; Df= 6, p< .009) between household Income and level of meal taking, educational status and decision making power, educational status and participate on community adaptation programme. The study recommended that raising high awareness, Creation of employment and economic opportunities, women friendly cyclone centre and empowerment are needed to adopt with disaster of women in the study area. After all, specific attention of government as well as non-government organizations is inevitable for overcoming the awful effects of disaster and improving socio economic condition of women in south western region of Bangladesh.