National Workshop on Women led Collective Advocacy for Climate Action

Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), International Land Coalition (ILC) and Landesa, USA organized a national workshop on 5-6 May 2023, to develop a Strategy on Climate Change and its Impact on Women in Bangladesh at the Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka.

In the inaugural seswsion, the workshop discussed the impact of climate change on women's land rights and livelihoods due to various natural impacts and setting the next 3-years’ strategy for conducting advocacy activities at various levels. In the opening ceremony of the workshop Hon'ble Member of Parliament Shirin Akhter, Sivani W Rasanayakam, Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officer of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, Pallab Chakma on behalf of ILC (Asia), Corey Creedon Sustainable Livelihood Specialist of Landesa USA were present. Besides, Shamsul Huda, Executive Director, ALRD, Roshan Jahan Moni, Deputy Director and Coordinator of Stand for Her Land Campaign in Bangladesh spoke at the opening ceremony. Khushi Kabir, president of ALRD and coordinator of Nijera Kari chaired the inaugural session.

In his welcome speech ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda said that although women are the most affected by climate change, their issue is never discussed. But addressing climate change will not be successful without addressing the issue of women who are more than half of the total population.

Roshan Jahan Moni, deputy director of ALRD and coordinator of Stand for Her Land Campaign Bangladesh, said that tackling climate change by empowering women can be a positive aspect.

Shirin Akhter MP said in the speech of the special guest that the issue of women in climate change and adaptation should be given special importance in the national budget.

In her speech as the chair, Khushi Kabir said that there are lots of project for the women but they are not discussed or considered. But it should be ensured that women are at the center of development projects.

Various national and local organizations, media representatives, researchers and others CSOs and individuals working on women's land rights and climate change are participating in the workshop.