Climate change is deepening existing social and gender inequalities while institutional weaknesses and social barriers continue to limit women’s participation in climate-related policy implementation. Without gender-responsive climate governance, community-led adaptation and meaningful inclusion of women in decision-making, sustainable and equitable climate action cannot be achieved. These concerns were highlighted by speakers at a national dialogue titled “Climate Policy, Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: A Review from a Gender Perspective” organized by WAVE Foundation on 11 December 2025 at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.
During the discussion, speakers emphasized the urgent need to institutionalize climate governance by ensuring women’s representation in relevant policy frameworks and decision-making processes. The event was chaired by Mohsin Ali, Founder and Executive Director of WAVE Foundation. Speaking as the Chief Guest, Gazi Md. Wali-ul-Haq, Managing Director (Additional Secretary) of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), noted that women in Bangladesh’s coastal regions face significantly higher climate risks compared to other areas. He emphasized that in disaster-prone countries like Bangladesh, women’s economic empowerment can play a critical role in strengthening resilience and reducing the impacts of climate-induced disasters.
Special guests at the event included Shirin Parvin Haq, Head of Women’s Affairs Reform Commission and founding member of Nari Pokkho, Gowher Nayeem Wahra, Member Secretary of Foundation for Disaster Forum, Dr. Sanzida Akhter, Professor, Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka, Katharina Koenig, Deputy Team Leader, NAGORIKATA, Civic Engagement Fund, Aziza Asfin, Fund Management Expert, NAGORIKATA. The research paper was presented by Dr. Abdul Wohab, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, North South University while the session was moderated by Kaniz Fatima, Deputy Director of WAVE Foundation.
It is noteworthy that this dialogue was organized to present findings, analysis and policy recommendations from a research study conducted under the Gender Equality Transforms Climate Action (GETCA) project. Implemented by WAVE Foundation with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada in Bangladesh and in partnership with BSDO, DASKO Foundation, NSS and Jagonari, the study covered 90 unions across 15 upazilas in the districts of Barishal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Rajshahi and Naogaon. The dialogue aimed to bring evidence-based insights directly to national-level policymakers and key stakeholders.
Based on the research findings, the speakers presented a set of short, medium and long-term recommendations to ensure gender equality within climate governance processes. Key recommendations included-
• Improving access to safe drinking water and repairing cyclone shelters
• Providing climate-affected women with cash assistance, skills training and productive equipment
• Ensuring transparent allocation of Union Parishad climate funds
• Institutionalizing integrated and inclusive disaster planning
• Guaranteeing gender-responsive budgeting across all climate projects
• Strengthening youth-led climate awareness initiatives
• Ensuring women’s representation in national policies to institutionalize gender-responsive climate governance
• Enhancing technical capacity and mobilizing long-term adaptation finance and
• Diversifying climate-resilient livelihoods in coastal and drought-prone regions to reduce structural vulnerability.
