The Fisherman Community

Coastal areas are significantly more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. The increased weather extremes resulting from climate change pose a substantial risk to coastal communities, leading to a heightened potential for casualties and damages. According to (Islam et al., 2015),  population, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism are the main drivers of climate change at coastal Shyamnagar upazila, which caused several social, financial, environmental, and physical impacts. The fisherman community in Tala, Satkhira, lives below the national poverty line and their situation keeps worsening with climate change hazards. 

 

According to (Adger, 1999), vulnerability is a state of well-being, and the intensity of it varies for different populations living under different circumstances. Furthermore, factors such as complex interactions of social norms, political institutions and resource endowments, technologies, and inequalities feed into the situation. 

 

Tala is an inland coastal area based in Satkhira. Even though this particular area deals with fewer impacts from both sudden and slow-onset climate-related events when compared to areas further south, with the shifting weather patterns, they have started to face increasing loss. Furthermore, the rising heatwaves and increasing salinity are causing major economic loss and severe health concerns in the southern region. During a discussion with the women from the fisherman community of Tala, they revealed many struggles in their lives that are unique to them due to their social identity (Dalit). Being in this unique position, their struggle also intensifies with ongoing political instability and social discrimination, and marginalization as a whole (Jahan, 2024).  

 

The discussant has lived in this current area for 10 to 28 years. Some of them were born and brought up here, and some are here due to their marriage. These women spoke about their experiences of being a woman in this area, and how they struggled with the issues that are unique to them only. While discussing, the women mentioned not seeing significant development, especially in road infrastructure. The struggles faced by women due to the damaged road and frequent power outages are significant. Women often bear the responsibility of fetching drinking water from a different place, which adds to their daily workload. This task can be physically demanding, especially if they have to carry heavy water containers over long distances. Long ago, these women who were married in this area were not allowed to go behind their house boundaries. They were bound to drink the water that was available to them. 

 

“Back then, we didn’t get any safe drinking water. We used to drink water from our tube wells, and around 65 people used to drink from that one tube well. The water was tasteless, salty.” 

 

“Back then, it used to be better than it is now. Everyone had to drink that water. The water was as salty as saline water. We used to drink that water. We were newly-wedded young daughters-in-law back then; we weren’t allowed to go elsewhere. We had to drink and do everything thing with that water.” 

 

“We need to bring our drinking water from a different place. We collect drinking water from the place near ‘Upzilla Chairman’s place.’ Every day we bring water from there in a big bottle. We sometimes hire a local van to do this.”

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Additionally, the lack of suitable drinking water from the local tube wells means that women have to ensure their families have access to safe drinking water, adding to their daily concerns and responsibilities. The issues with the local water supply for household use also put extra pressure on women, as they must find alternative ways to manage their household water needs. These challenges highlight the additional burden placed on women in the community and the need for sustainable solutions to improve their living conditions.

 

“For cooking, we use water from our tube well. However, that water is smelly. There is excessive iron. We use pond water for baths and to wash our clothes. But most of us don’t have a pond on our own. We have to rely on other people’s mercy for these household chores. If they deny, we have no choice but to use the smelly well water.” 

 

In addition to the challenges related to water and infrastructure, women in the community also face struggles related to sexual and reproductive health. Limited access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities can have a direct impact on women's health, as it may lead to an increased risk of water-borne diseases and infections. Even though their sanitation system has changed since they came here, they are yet to get any proper sanitation system during the crisis. 

 

“Previously, there was just an open toilet. Simple structure. The wastage used to go directly into the water. But now there are well-built toilets.”

 

“During the 2010 flood, our home was severely affected. We had to set up tents in higher areas and lived there for almost a year. The floodwaters were so high that boats could even enter our house. I feel embarrassed as I speak, but we didn't have access to proper toilets, so we had to plead with people in the higher areas to use theirs. It was a terrible experience that we never want to go through again. Our house was located on the riverbank, and during that time, we struggled to find food. Thankfully, kind individuals provided us with dry food, which sustained us. In 2011, we finally returned to our home after the flood.”

 

Hossain et al. (2011) stated that the Bay of Bengal is an ideal breeding ground for tropical cyclones and depressions. The funnel-shaped configuration of the coastline of Bangladesh produces the catastrophic ravages of cyclones and storm surges. During pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods, disastrous tropical cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal. In Bangladesh alone, about 40% of the total number of global storm surges are recorded. Over the last 30 years, different scales of cyclones have been affecting the country with the loss of valuable lives and property. The adverse effects of climate change deteriorate the quality of life due to saline water. It increases the mortality rate and illness associated with heat waves, particularly among the elderly and the urban poor. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Climate change causes a decline in the quantity and quality of drinking water, which is a prerequisite for good health. Malnutrition is the main cause of ill health among children Hossain et al. (2011).