Shyamnagar hosts run to raise awareness on women’s climate struggles
"Run for Her Resilience 2025" was held today in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, celebrating the courage and resilience of women living on the frontlines of climate change.
The symbolic event was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Brighters with support from the Green Climate Fund's GCA project.
Around 100 young participants joined the 5-kilometre run, with men carrying water pitchers to reflect the daily struggles of Shyamnagar's women, who often walk long distances to collect safe water due to climate impacts such as salinity, water scarcity and river erosion.
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The run was inaugurated at the Shyamnagar Upazila Parishad premises by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dedarul Islam. "Addressing climate challenges requires collective action. This run is a meaningful gesture of respect and awareness for climate-vulnerable women," he said.
By placing men in the role traditionally carried by women, the event aimed to build empathy, spark dialogue and highlight the disproportionate burden women bear in managing water for their households.
Participants said the experience reshaped their understanding. "It was extremely difficult to carry the water, so I had to place it in a van. Today I finally understood how much hardship the women here face every day," said participant Ashikur Rahman. Another participant, Meghla Mondol, added, "When I was a child, my mother used to leave us and walk long distances to fetch water. Now water is a little closer, but we still have to buy drinking water; it is expensive."
UNDP Head of Communications Md Abdul Quayyum said, "Women face the strongest impact of climate change. Highlighting their resilience through this initiative is both timely and necessary." He added that the run stands as a symbol of solidarity, recognising the struggle of Shyamnagar's women and reinforcing a shared commitment to a more resilient future.
Among others present were Md Abdul Hannan, National Project Manager, GCA; Md Moniruzzaman, Knowledge Management Analyst, GCA; Md Peyar Uddin, Investigation Officer, Shyamnagar Police Station; SM Doleyar Hossain, Upazila Social Services Officer; Brighters Director Sohanur Amin; and youth representative Zeva.
