The coastal areas of Bhola's Char Fasson upazila, comprising around 11 islands such as Char Fakira, Dhal Char, Mujibnagar, Char Newline, Kukri Mukri, and Char Patila, remain isolated from the mainland and are facing severe health challenges due to climate change.
The saline environment, lack of potable water and inadequate health awareness have left thousands of women vulnerable to health risks.
Jomila Khatun, a 38-year-old laborer and mother of four, struggles daily to sustain her family. While her husband, a fisherman, ventures into the sea, Jomila wades through knee-deep muddy waters to catch fish. The saline water has caused her skin to crack and her limbs to become frail. "When we can barely afford food, how can I afford medical care?" she laments.
Similarly, 20-year-old Anwara Begum works with tar on fishing boats along the Meghna River. Her hands are stained and her face discolored with skin lesions which she attributes to supernatural causes rather than seeking medical help.
Hanufa, another woman from Char Kolmi, toils under the scorching sun drying peanuts on a bridge. Like many others, she remains oblivious to the health hazards posed by prolonged exposure to harsh climatic conditions and saline water.
These stories reflect the broader reality for countless women in the char regions, where they bear the dual burden of managing their families and livelihoods. With their male counterparts away at sea, women often endure long hours of physically demanding labor in harsh environments while also walking great distances to fetch potable water.
The adverse effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased salinity, and extreme weather, have exacerbated these challenges. According to Dr. Shovon Kumar Boska, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, the lack of access to sanitary napkins and reproductive health services leads to conditions such as high blood pressure, skin diseases, pre-eclampsia, and even miscarriages. The rising heatwaves also increase the risk of heatstroke among women, particularly as they spend extended hours cooking in poorly ventilated kitchens.
Former Union Parishad Chairman Abdus Salam Howladar emphasized that water salinity in the coastal regions has significantly impacted women's health. Many women wade into saline waters daily to collect fish and shrimp, exposing themselves to severe skin and health issues. The lack of health awareness and access to healthcare has further compounded these problems.
Health experts argue that immediate measures are needed to address the health challenges faced by women in these regions. Increasing access to healthcare, improving sanitation, and raising awareness about health and nutrition are critical to mitigating the impact of climate change on the lives of these vulnerable women.
Comprehensive health initiatives tailored to the unique needs of coastal women could provide a lifeline for those struggling to sustain themselves and their families amidst the harsh realities of climate change.
