Vulnerable Women of Northern Bangladesh can Adapt to Climate Change through Sustainable Livelihoods

Abstract

Climate change has made the people of Bangladesh vulnerable environmentally, culturally, and socially. The northern areas of the country have also been affected by climate change and different types of climatic impacts like floods, changes in seasonal pattern and effects on agricultural products have been visible in recent times. In Bangladesh, women comprise half of the total population and their empowerment is closely related to the sustainable economic development and prosperity of the country. But climate change is responsible for making women’s livelihood opportunities vulnerable. The study was conducted in a community of Nilphamari district located in northern Bangladesh. The study revealed that the sustainable livelihood options can help the women to be resilient to climate change. If different types of livelihoods, support, and orientations are provided to the targeted women beneficiaries, and they utilize the support to increase their income their situation can be changed. Their access to markets can also be established which can increase their 
resilient capacities to cope with the climate change induced risks at community level. The study found that if the women are engaged in economic activities and they have earnings and savings, then they can cope with the climate change risks.