Urgent action needed to protect women during disasters: Speakers

Immediate steps are required to ensure the protection of women during disasters, with a focus on their rights to physical, mental, and reproductive healthcare, speakers stressed at a virtual press conference.

The event was organised by the national committee for the observation of International Rural Women's Day.  

During the discussion, speakers highlighted the often-overlooked physical, financial, and emotional toll that disasters impose on women.

They called for women-friendly and inclusive initiatives to be designed in collaboration with both government and non-government agencies to address these challenges effectively.  

Shamima Akhtar, the committee chairperson, urged the government to adopt and implement effective measures to protect women's health during disasters.

Women frequently endure long-term physical and emotional harm due to insufficient awareness, inadequate emergency services, and a lack of sensitisation, said rights-based civil society representatives.

Speakers at the event stressed that the protection of women should be a priority in all disaster relief and service delivery efforts.  

Khadijatul Kubra, programme officer of the COAST Foundation, delivered the keynote presentation, pointing out that over 5.1 million people in eastern Bangladesh have been affected by floods this year.

Women, especially from low-income and marginalised communities, face the greatest hardships, often spending nights on rooftops or in boats to safeguard their possessions, while children frequently fall ill due to wet clothing.  

Khadijatul Kubra noted that women, particularly during menstruation, struggle to maintain hygiene due to a lack of clean water and sanitary items.

Pregnant women are at heightened risk as reproductive health services are often unavailable during disasters. Shelters, marked by overcrowding, lack of separate toilets for women, and insufficient clean water, further endanger women's health and dignity.  

Mothura Tripura highlighted that the abortion rate in flood-affected eastern regions has risen, exacerbated by stress, malnutrition, and inadequate care. 

She called for emergency reproductive services to support pregnant women during disasters.

Feroza Begum stressed the absence of integrated post-disaster services covering physical, mental, and reproductive health for women.  

Additionally, Tofazzal Sohel pointed out the urgent need for mental health services to help women cope with trauma and stress, while Aynun Nahar stressed the importance of awareness regarding menstrual health and proper disposal of sanitary products during emergencies.  

Ferdous Ara Rumee, the event moderator, added that disaster situations pose significant risks for pregnant women, underscoring the need for comprehensive reproductive health programmes in collaboration with local communities and health workers.  

Mustafa Kamal Akand, speaking on behalf of the organisers, noted that International Rural Women's Day is celebrated in over 50 districts in Bangladesh through various events, recognising the critical role of rural women.