Intersectionality of climate change in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s coastal and riverine communities face recurrent floods, cyclones, and salinity intrusion. These hazards disproportionately affect women, ethnic minorities, and the poor, who often lack secure land tenure, access to resources, or decision-making power. For example, women in rural areas bear the burden of water collection and caregiving, making them more exposed to health risks during disasters. Ethnic minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and coastal belts face cultural and institutional barriers that limit their participation in adaptation programs.
Intersectionality highlights how overlapping identities compound vulnerability: poor women from minority groups in hazard-prone areas experience multiple disadvantages simultaneously. Climate change also intersects with sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), as displacement and disaster conditions restrict access to healthcare, heightening risks for adolescent girls and pregnant women.
Effective adaptation in Bangladesh requires inclusive governance that recognizes these intersecting inequalities. Policies must integrate gender-sensitive approaches, protect minority rights, and ensure equitable resource distribution. Without this, climate hazards will continue to deepen social inequities, turning environmental stress into systemic injustice.