Sixty women from Char Lata, a remote river island facing severe climate and infrastructure challenges, recently came together with representatives of the Chalitabunia Union Parishad to present and negotiate their community’s priorities.
Char Lata currently has no cyclone shelter, experiences limited access to safe drinking water during the dry season, and has historically had little representation in local decision-making processes. This time, however, the women did not attend merely as participants—they arrived with a clear and evidence-based Community Action Plan.
As part of the “Women Leading the Tide: Gender-Transformative Water Governance in Char Lata” project, supported by IUCN, OBHIZATRIK Foundation facilitated a Validation Workshop where trained women leaders presented the challenges affecting their community and proposed practical solutions.
The women highlighted seven priority demands:
- Installation of rainwater-harvesting infrastructure
- Replacement and rehabilitation of the existing sluice gate
- Construction of a cyclone shelter
- Introduction of climate-smart agricultural practices
- Stronger engagement with the Bangladesh Water Development Board
- Effective measures to address river erosion
- Development of gender-sensitive livelihood opportunities
All seven demands were incorporated into the final Community Action Plan. The Chairman of Chalitabunia Union Parishad and the elected female Union Parishad members also committed to presenting the community’s priorities to the relevant higher authorities.
The workshop demonstrated what meaningful capacity development can achieve. It was not simply about women receiving information; it was about women identifying problems, developing solutions, negotiating with decision-makers, and claiming their rightful role in local governance.
Through their leadership, the women of Char Lata are helping shape a more inclusive, climate-resilient, and water-secure future for their community.
