National workshop highlights gender-responsive climate action in Bangladesh

A national workshop titled "Towards Inclusive Climate Solutions: Integrating Gender into National Climate Policies and Action in Bangladesh" was held on 25 May at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka to promote gender-responsive climate governance and align national policies with gender equality principles.

Organised under UNDP's Gender-responsive Coastal Adaptation (GCA) Project, with support from the Government of Bangladesh and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the workshop introduced a new Gender-Sensitive Adaptation Training Module and presented findings from a policy gap analysis across 12 ministries. The event marked a step forward in embedding gender equality into national climate strategies.

Chief Guest Mamtaz Ahmed NDC, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), said, "Women in coastal communities are not just victims of climate change—they are change-makers. This workshop helps align national policies with ground realities, placing gender at the heart of climate action."

Keya Khan, Director General of the Department of Women Affairs, noted, "The training module and policy review developed under the GCA project will help strengthen our ministries' capacity to respond to climate challenges through a gender lens."

A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, added, "Bangladesh has made strong commitments to climate finance and gender equality. Integrating both ensures that our investments deliver sustainable outcomes."

Sonali Dayaratne, Resident Representative a.i. of UNDP Bangladesh, reaffirmed development partner support: "UNDP is proud to partner with the Government of Bangladesh in mainstreaming gender into climate adaptation. Today's event is not only about validating tools and policies—it is about empowering institutions and communities for long-term resilience."

Participants were introduced to key training materials, including the Gender and Climate: Towards Equitable and Inclusive Transformation manual, the Advocacy, Financing, and Accessing the Green Climate Fund for Government Officials resource, and a Policy Brief on integrating gender and climate across ministries.

Also in attendance were Md Abdul Hye Al Mahmud, Joint Secretary and National Project Director of the GCA Project, Sarder M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, alongside senior government officials, development partners, and gender focal points from key ministries.

The GCA project empowers climate-vulnerable coastal communities—especially women—to lead resilient livelihoods and access safe, year-round drinking water. Through 1,020 Women Livelihood Groups and water solutions benefiting over 30,000 households, the project promotes gender-transformative change, strengthens value chains, and builds institutional capacity for climate-resilient planning and adaptation in Khulna and Satkhira.