Leading the Fight for Women's Rights and Resilience in Climate-Impacted Communities
Rekha Rani, the general secretary of the Shyamnagar Women Labor Development Union, has witnessed the significant changes brought about by climate change. Growing up in the village of Padmapukur and later moving to Atuliya after marriage within Shayamnagar union, she observed throughout her life salinity transformed fertile farmland into barren soil incapable of supporting crops (Rezoyana et al., 2023). Water scarcity compounded the issue, leaving even shallow pumps to yield saline water, making paddy cultivation nearly impossible outside of the rainy season.
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“As water decreased, the salinity increased. That’s why we can’t grow vegetables in summer. So many people were leaving their villages to work in other areas due to this issue,” Rekha explains.
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The changing climate drove villagers to abandon traditional farming. Many leased their fields to Gher traders who converted them into shrimp farms, while others migrated for seasonal labor or worked in brick kilns. This shift also intensified gender disparities in labor markets. Women, often hired for shrimp farming, were paid significantly less than men, exacerbating economic vulnerabilities in already marginalized communities (Quisumbing & Kumar, 2021).
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In response, Rekha emerged as a leader advocating for equitable working conditions. Under her guidance, the Shyamnagar Women Labor Development Union successfully protested for fair wages, increasing women’s earnings from 150 Tk to 250–300 Tk per day. Prolonged exposure to saline environments, however, continues to affect the health of women shrimp workers. Many suffer from nail damage, rashes, and persistent itching due to the harsh conditions, while others experience hair discoloration and a heightened risk of infections in genital area. Spending long hours in the salty water jeopardizes both their physical and mental well-being (Wilbanks, 2017). Consequently, the union negotiated for essential amenities like toilets, rest shelters, and access to clean drinking water and medical aid at the farms.
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In addition to health challenges, women shrimp workers often face workplace harassment. Rekha’s union has empowered women to speak up against mistreatment, fostering solidarity and resilience within the workforce.
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“We are now conscious of our working circumstances in addition to our pay. We don't hold our tongue if we are paid unfairly, or if any male coworker insults us or uses foul language. We oppose bullying conduct as well as unfair pay”
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Climate change also threatens the sustainability of shrimp farming. Rising salinity and heat have led to frequent shrimp mortality, causing significant losses for Gher owners. When Parts Per Thousand (PPT) levels spike, shrimp die in large numbers, leaving farmers scrambling to sell their stock or risk complete loss. Rekha herself faced such challenges when she leased a shrimp farm for 150,000 Taka. Salinity increases during the summer resulted in devastating losses.
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“After my marriage, I took a lease for 1.5 lakhs to cultivate shrimp. We could eat from the shrimp but couldn’t make a profit.” Rekha says.
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Her father had a similar experience when Cyclone Amphan destroyed his shrimp farm shortly after he leased it. These recurring setbacks have prompted farmers to adopt innovative strategies. For example, they now dig trenches along farm borders to create refuges of fresh water for fish during salinity spikes, significantly reducing stock losses (Adger, 2010). Rekha’s efforts reflect broader grassroots movements advocating for environmental justice and labor rights in climate-vulnerable regions (Crona et al., 2020). The union’s success underscores the importance of integrating gender-sensitive adaptation measures into policies addressing socio-economic and ecological challenges in shrimp farming (Islam, 2019). Rekha remains committed to improving the lives of women shrimp workers and creating a sustainable, equitable future.
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Rekha Rani, the general secretary of the Shyamnagar Women Labor Development Union, exemplifies resilience and leadership in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change in her community. From advocating for fair wages and better working conditions to empowering women against workplace harassment, Rekha’s efforts highlight the critical role of grassroots movements in promoting environmental justice and gender equity. Despite the persistent threats of salinity, health risks, and economic losses in shrimp farming, Rekha’s unwavering commitment drives innovative adaptation strategies and fosters solidarity among marginalized workers. Her work underscores the necessity of gender-sensitive policies to ensure a sustainable and equitable future in climate-vulnerable regions