Women’s livelihoods in the flood plains of Bangladesh

This brief presents the main challenges related to climate change faced by women in the flood plains of Bangladesh, as well as the strategies they are implementing. It also provides recommendations about what types of capital, resources and skill development training will be needed to practice viable livelihoods for women.

Most of Bangladesh lies in the delta of three of the largest rivers in the world. These rivers have a combined peak discharge in the flood season of 180,000 m3/sec (the second highest in the world, after the Amazon) and carry approximately two billion tons of sediment each year. Floodplains occupy 80% of Bangladesh making it susceptible to river and rain water flooding and, in lower-lying coastal areas, to tidal flooding during storms (MoEF, 2009).