Resilience and Empowerment in the Face of Climate Change

Ruma Munda’s Story of Advocacy and Adaptation in Munshiganj, Bangladesh

Munshiganj, located in Bangladesh’s Shyamnagar region, is home to the Munda community, a group increasingly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change. Among its resilient voices is Ruma Munda, a community leader who has turned personal tragedy into a mission to uplift her people. Through her organization, Adibashi Nari Unnayan Sangstha (Indigenous Women’s Development Organization), Ruma advocates for climate adaptation, gender equality, and community empowerment, providing hope and practical solutions in a challenging environment.

Ruma’s journey has been deeply influenced by the traumatic impacts of climate change. Displaced from her home in Koikhali during Cyclone Aila in 2009, she witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by extreme weather events. Cyclones Aila and Amphan ravaged her community, destroying homes, livestock, and crops. "We used to cultivate Amon dhan during the monsoon," Ruma shared, "but now we can't because the weather has changed so much." The rising summer heat, compounded by unpredictable rain and prolonged droughts, has further strained the livelihoods of Munshiganj residents, making outdoor labor difficult and health risks more severe.

She recalls how the increasing heat has disrupted daily life: "I used to work as a day laborer. Nowadays, I can’t even go to work because of the scorching heat. Even sitting under a fan doesn’t help." These climatic shifts have led to deaths from heatstroke in the community, with Ruma recounting the tragic loss of three to four people due to extreme temperatures.

Building Resilience through Community Action
Motivated by her experiences, Ruma founded Adibashi Nari Unnayan Sangstha to address the intersection of climate change, gender inequality, and socioeconomic challenges. The organization works tirelessly to:

Advocate for Equal Wages: Women day laborers, particularly those working in local gher (shrimp farms), often earn less than men, who typically seek employment in brick kilns or other industries. Despite resistance from some within the community, Ruma remains steadfast. "Even if equal pay doesn’t happen now," she said, "it will in the future, for the next generation."
Combat Child Marriage: Raising awareness about the harms of early marriage, particularly for girls, is a cornerstone of the organization’s mission.
Empower Women: By encouraging participation in decision-making processes, Ruma helps women find their voices and claim their rights in a traditionally patriarchal society.

Climate Adaptation Efforts
Recognizing the urgent need for local solutions, Ruma has also initiated community-based climate adaptation strategies. These include:

Ecological Restoration: Promoting mass planting to combat deforestation and restore balance to the environment.
Energy Efficiency: Encouraging the use of Bondhu Chula, an energy-efficient cooking stove, to reduce dependence on firewood and decrease indoor air pollution.
Health Awareness: Educating the community on preventing heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, which have become alarmingly common.

Challenges and the Path Forward
Ruma acknowledges that changing long-standing norms and behaviors is not easy. Some community members resist the push for gender equality, while others are skeptical of the benefits of adaptation measures. Yet, she remains hopeful. By building unity and resilience within the Munda community, she believes a better future is possible.

Ruma’s efforts reflect a deep understanding of how climate change exacerbates existing inequalities. "Even in the face of extreme challenges," she explains, "we must come together, not just to survive, but to thrive." Her organization exemplifies the power of grassroots leadership in driving change and empowering marginalized communities to reclaim agency over their lives.

Ruma Munda’s journey from displacement to activism is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. By addressing climate challenges while empowering women, her work not only uplifts the Munda community but also offers a model for inclusive and sustainable development in other vulnerable regions.

Resilience and Empowerment in the Face of Climate Change

Ruma Munda’s Story of Advocacy and Adaptation in Munshiganj, Bangladesh

Further reading on the Munda community