Experts meeting today (October 17) highlighted that women in Bangladesh bear a disproportionate burden during disasters, as they often prioritize the needs of their families over their own.

This puts them at increased risk during floods, cyclones and other crises. Yet their sacrifices and contributions to disaster recovery often go unrecognized, exacerbating gender inequalities.

The roundtable discussion “Integrating Gender Equality into Climate Finance Strategies for Bangladesh”, jointly organized by The Business Standard in association with the Manusher Jonno Foundation and Swedish Sverige, was held today (October 17) in its offices in Eskaton Garden, the capital.

At the event, participants called for a gender-responsive budget that includes women and communities while taking into account the effects of climate change.

“We need to recognize women as important agents of change,” said Shaheen Anam, executive director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).

“While approximately 35% of the budget is allocated to women-focused climate initiatives, the reality is different. If these funds do not improve the lives of women, they are of no use.”

Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation

She described the issue as existential for Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of involving women in climate strategies. Although the government has taken measures, the results have not been satisfactory.

Anam added: “Allocations are allocated to women, but monitoring on the ground often reveals that the funds disappear. We must see women as key agents and ensure that benefits are monitored to make meaningful changes in their lives.

She noted that while around 35% of the budget is allocated to women-focused climate initiatives, the reality is different. If these funds do not improve the lives of women, they are of no use. Observing the challenges faced by women in coastal and riverine areas reinforces this need for monitoring.

Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, questioned the effectiveness of gender budgeting over the past 50 years, noting that the UN Secretary-General predicted it would take between 150 and 200 years to see substantial improvements.

Although Bangladesh has made progress in its disaster response, the recent floods in Feni exposed gaps in preparedness, she said.

She noted that while economic losses are visible, long-term effects, such as child marriage and loss of education, are often overlooked.

At the upcoming COP-29 conference, Kabir said Bangladesh would demand $1 trillion in core public funding.

“Despite global and domestic political promises, these commitments are yet to materialize. However, with the emergence of a pro-people government in Bangladesh, expectations are high,” Kabir added.

Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary, Climate Change Wing (Additional Charge), said even though few people are working on climate issues, these issues affect everyone, especially vulnerable populations.

“While progress has been made in addressing gender inequality, it remains incomplete globally and in Bangladesh. Due to Bangladesh’s geographical position, climate change has a multiplier effect, impacting various sectors and increasing suffering.

Harun stressed that the climate crisis is more serious than visible disasters and that the challenges faced by women, such as caring for children and carrying water to flood-affected areas, are particularly serious.

He also stressed that the problem concerns several ministries and not a single responsible agency.

Presenting the opening paper, Zakir Hossain Khan, Managing Director of Change Initiative Limited, said the nature of disasters has evolved over the past 30 years, with new challenges such as extreme heat, drought and salinity of groundwater. Urban air pollution is another concern.

Khan pointed out that even though Bangladesh contributes only 0.56% to global carbon emissions, it faces significant risks from climate change. From 2000 to 2019, 185 extreme disasters occurred in Bangladesh, causing $3.72 billion in damage.

He also mentioned that floods in neighboring India, like Tripura or Assam, cannot be contained by border guards because nature knows no boundaries. Flood and river management should focus on sustainable strategies rather than control or governance.

He stressed that gender issues run deep, with incidents such as child marriages increasing after floods, leaving families in debt and women exploited by local agents.

Sajjadur Rahman, Deputy Editor of The Business Standard, moderated the event and highlighted the importance of addressing gender inequality in climate budgeting and implementation.

He also spoke of the importance of preparations ahead of the COP-29 conference, where discussions could influence not only financial issues but also technical knowledge.

Other participants included Banasree Mitra Neogi, director of MJF; Md Golam Rabbani, head of the Climate Bridge Fund at BRAC; Khodeja Sultana, national director of Diakonia; SM Munzurul Hannan Khan of Nature Conservation Management; Jabber Md Soaib, deputy director of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority; Sheikh Nur Ataya Rabbi of the Center for Participatory Research and Development; Rumana Khan, GBV cluster coordinator at UNFPA; Noor Ali Shah of UN Women; and Md Abul Hasan of the Coast Foundation.