Coastal women’s health at risk of climate change-induced salinity

Md. Ahsan Ullah
The Coastal women’s health is at risk of increasing salinity due to climate change. It has been a major issue in Bangladesh for years, and the impact is most evident among women residing in the coastal regions of the country.

In addition to experiencing skin and respiratory diseases, these women face challenges related to their reproductive health.

Mongla upazila in the Bagerhat district is one of the areas feeling the impact of climate change-induced salinity.

The lack of safe drinking water exacerbates various health issues such as miscarriages, waterborne diseases, hypertension, respiratory infections, and diarrheal diseases.

Mongla resident Sumi Akter told The New Nation that she has been suffering from a urinary tract infection from constantly drinking saline water.

She mentioned that it is recommended that the human body consume 5g of salt each day, but the people living in Mongla upazila are exposed to over 16g.

“It is a very troubling situation for the women living here. Due to the saline water, women face difficulty in getting pregnant and have miscarriages frequently,” she said.

Sumi added that her sister is seven months pregnant and also suffers from a urinary tract infection. “She is having a difficult time. Moreover, newborns in the area often suffer from severe malnutrition.”

Another woman, Kakoli Mondol, said: “Women, in general, rely heavily on water for cooking, washing dishes, and clothes.

Additionally, many of us do not drink enough water due to its scarcity, leading to further health complications.”