Q& A
‘Floods, cyclones have become frequent, intense’
Hasna Moudud, green activist and former chairman of the special parliamentary committee in Bangladesh on environment and coastal areas, is founder-adviser of GLOBE International, a forum that brings legislators, scientists and business leaders together for dialogues on environmental issues. She talks to Narayani Ganesh of the need to focus on the gender aspect of climate change:
What is the gender aspect of climate change?
Women in Bangladesh are major players in food production. They are so desperate that in some areas they are fighting a battle with birds for leftover seeds post-harvest. River and coastal erosion is eating into livelihoods. It is women who hold the family together but with global warming taking its toll, they are finding the burden too much to bear. Members of GLOBE feel strongly that we must bring the gender perspective forward. One important aspect of facing the climate change challenge — both in terms of adaptation and mitigation — is to learn from traditional societies that are already coping with the problem. Local experience and knowledge must be shared.
Bangladesh is among those countries most vulnerable to climate destroyed, forcing tigers to look for shelter and food in human habitats. For Bangladesh, this was loss of a world heritage marine ecosystem. These are turtle-breeding grounds. And the marine biodiversity is in danger of being completely decimated. Bangladesh and West Bengal need to cooperate to protect the Sunderbans; it is our common heritage.
How should the gender burden be addressed?
A gender committee is being constituted to look at proactive measures that could be taken in rural areas to enable women to face the climate change challenge. Members would include the chairman of GLOBE, two US Congresswomen, a senator from Brazil, a member of parliament from Italy, and others from South Africa and the Congo. I will represent Bangladesh. We would welcome suggestions from India, too.
change: floods and cyclones have become more frequent and intense; cropping patterns are changing and there is either excess or shortage of water. More islands and coastal regions are going under water for longer periods of time. And industry is polluting rivers.
change: floods and cyclones have become more frequent and intense; cropping patterns are changing and there is either excess or shortage of water. More islands and coastal regions are going under water for longer periods of time. And industry is polluting rivers.
Women and children — whose nutrition levels are low and stress levels high — tend to succumb to waterborne diseases after floods and cyclones. They are also the ones who are left with the task of hunting for and bringing home potable water. It is women who are caregivers to the ailing and the elderly at home. Women are shouldering multiple responsibilities.
How badly is the Sunderbans affected?
The impact of Cyclone Sidr on what is arguably the world’s largest mangrove forest was devastating. Sidr impacted the Sunderbans trees and animals; their habitats were destroyed, forcing tigers to look for shelter and food in human habitats. For Bangladesh, this was loss of a world heritage marine ecosystem. These are turtle-breeding grounds. And the marine biodiversity is in danger of being completely decimated. Bangladesh and West Bengal need to cooperate to protect the Sunderbans; it is our common heritage.
How should the gender burden be addressed ?
A gender committee is being constituted to look at proactive measures that could be taken in rural areas to enable women to face the climate change challenge. Members would include the chairman of GLOBE, two US Congress women, a senator from Brazil, a member of parliament from Italy, and others from South Africa and the Congo. I will represent Bangladesh. We would welcome suggestions from India, too.