Childhood Interrupted: The Impact of Climate Change on Girls in Coastal Bangladesh
In coastal Bangladesh, climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a daily threat to health and childhood. Saline water intrusions have made clean drinking water scarce. Many children, especially girls like Neela, spend hours fetching safe water instead of attending school or playing.
Neela, at just 10 years old, walks miles every day to a community pond that has a water filter. She makes this trip multiple times, sacrificing her time for education and leisure. “I’ve been doing this for three years,” she says. It’s a life many kids in her village know all too well.
Salinity in drinking water poses serious health risks. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum salt intake of five grams daily. However, many coastal residents consume around 16 grams from just two liters of water. This excess salt can lead to issues like skin rashes, urinary infections, and chronic conditions such as high blood pressure.
Neela’s story is not unique. Families, overwhelmed by these challenges, often depend on saline water for cooking and cleaning, while limited clean water becomes a resource hoarded for men and children. As a result, young girls take on heavy responsibilities at home, which, tragically, often includes caring for sick family members.
The question arises: Why are these duties falling on young girls? Neela’s father, like many men from her village, has migrated to the town for work. Economic hardships, exacerbated by climate change, force families into difficult choices. An alarming report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that rising sea levels could displace around 900,000 people in Bangladesh by 2050.
Health issues compound the challenges. Neela witnesses her mother suffer due to multiple pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by climate-related health risks. A study found that women in coastal areas face a 25% higher risk of miscarriage when exposed to certain temperatures.
Despite the burdens, Neela clings to fleeting moments of joy. Yet, the reality of her responsibilities often overshadows her childhood. She fears she might be married off young to ease her family’s financial strain. “If I am married, I will lose everything,” she confesses.
Neela isn’t alone; many girls face similar fates. As climate change continues to threaten livelihoods, studies show that child marriage rates in Bangladesh’s coastal regions have surged by 39% due to climate-related disasters. UNICEF ranks the country among those most vulnerable to climate-induced child marriage.
The need for immediate action is clear. Shampa Goswami, an expert in women’s welfare, emphasizes that these challenges cannot be tackled in isolation. “Water scarcity, health risks, and poverty reinforce each other,” she says. Both institutional efforts and community attitudes must change to provide meaningful support for young girls.
Experts stress the need for tailored solutions. Dr. Tania Haque notes that vulnerabilities differ greatly based on location. “We need targeted responses to the distinct challenges women face,” she insists.
As we left Neela’s village, she smiled shyly at a photo we took of her. “Will you come back?” she asked. “Most probably not,” she sighed, a heavy weight of uncertainty clouding her young spirit.
Neela’s story reflects a broader pattern: climate change quietly erodes the childhoods of girls in coastal Bangladesh, pushing them into responsibilities and situations far beyond their years. Understanding and addressing these challenges is essential to help restore their lives and their futures.
