Bureau Chief, Khulna:

“Cyclones have become continuous threat for the people of southwestern coastal region in Bangladesh that causing severe socio-economic difficulties to the women and girls’ communities. Within this high-risk environment, women and girls face disproportionately greater challenges. Traditional roles of women to household activities, limited mobility for socialization and inequitable access to resources increase the existing vulnerabilities, leading to high risks during and after the natural disasters,” Participants at a dialogue with media personnel on Wednesday said.
They also opined that, participation of women and girls in local level disaster management is very limited and investment in climate resilient activities focusing vulnerable women and girls is not comparatively significant. Additionally, early marriage, driven by economic stress, is predominant and poses long-term risks, particularly affecting teenage girls.
A Khulna based non-government organization Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS) arranged the events on ‘Promoting disaster risk reduction organizing sustainable teamwork, uniformity, togetherness and initiatives’ (PROSTUTI) project implemented in collaboration with Shapla Neer, Japan and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan held at Purbanchal Dialogue Center under Sadar thana in the city participation of media personnel.
Convener of Khulna Press Club Md Enamul Haque addressed at event as chief guest. Executive Director of JJS ATM Zakir Hossain presided over the function.
Associate Professor Md Mostafizur Rahman of Urban and Rural Planning Discipline of Khulna University and Professor Dr Md Nazmus Sadath of Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline of Khulna University were present as resource persons.
Among others, Member Secretary of Khulna Press Club Rafiul Islam Tutul, journalists Abu Taiyeb Munshi, Ehtesamul Haque Shaon, Md Tariqul Islam, Md Mamun Reza, HM Alauddin, Gazi Moniruzzaman, Al-Ehsan, Ashraful Islam Nur, Awal Sheikh, spoke on the occasion.
Planning Coordinator of JJS Shaikh Nazmul Huda said that the project, being implemented in the remote area of Koyra upazila in Khulna district, aims to enhance disaster preparedness among women and girls as well as increasing their participation in local disaster management decision-making process.