“Although change is not in our control, the fight for survival is in our hands. Women provide the greatest inspiration for this survival within families. A climate-resilient Bangladesh will be built on the indomitable courage of women,” she said.
Rizwana, who also serves as Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources, made these remarks as the Chief Guest at Annual Community of Practices (CoP) Network Convention 2025 – EmPower: Women for Climate Resilient Societies (Phase-II), held at Aloki, according to a press release from the ministry.
She highlighted that women in Bangladesh are leading climate resilience efforts at home, within their communities and across disaster-prone regions.
“Through their unwavering strength and adaptability, women have never surrendered to adversity, poverty or uncertainty,” Rizwana said.
She added, “Empowering women is essential to achieving sustainable transformation in our response to climate change.”
Calling for a reassessment of development priorities, the adviser urged balancing investments in mega infrastructure projects with increased support for people living in areas affected by river erosion and other disasters.
She stressed that true sustainable development can only be realized when vulnerable and marginalized populations are protected from climate impacts.
Rizwana also advocated scaling up small and community-based adaptation projects through both government and private initiatives, noting that integrating local women’s innovative climate adaptation efforts into the national development agenda is urgently needed.
The convention was attended by Sweden’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks, Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh Diepak Elmer, UN Women Bangladesh Representative Gitanjali Singh, and Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Shaheen Anam.
During the event, ten “climate champions”; women working tirelessly in vulnerable regions, were recognized for their leadership in climate resilience.
Rizwana later visited various stalls showcasing innovative local adaptation initiatives.
The national convention brought together 100 women-led civil society organizations from across Bangladesh to share experiences and highlight locally-led adaptation practices.
Artists also performed poter gaan (traditional narrative songs) depicting the impacts of climate change and community-led solutions.
SH