Bikeler Kanthosor Desk:
Jashore & Jhenaidah, Bangladesh — In a significant step towards combating climate change and fostering resilience, rural women in Jashore and Jhenaidah districts are actively leading climate action through dedicated environment clubs. This initiative is part of the SMART project’s “Flower” sub-project, implemented by the Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF) with financial backing from the World Bank and technical guidance from the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF).
The SMART project (Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation) spans 17 unions across Jashore and Jhenaidah districts. A critical component of this initiative is the establishment of five environment clubs in five distinct upazilas (sub-districts). These clubs have become hubs for women’s leadership and active participation in environmental protection. Remarkably, women are not only members but are increasingly taking on leadership roles within the club committees.
These environment clubs convene regular monthly meetings where participants dive deep into crucial topics like the environment, weather patterns, climate change, and disaster preparedness. Through consistent participation in these meetings, the women are equipping themselves with knowledge and building their own climate resilience, becoming better prepared to face environmental challenges in their daily lives.
Beyond discussions, the clubs are proactive in community engagement. They organize various observation days, including World Environment Day, World Soil Day, and International Women's Day. Tree plantation drives are a staple activity. The clubs also reach out to the younger generation by organizing social and competitive events for school and college students, instilling environmental awareness from an early age.
Bappy Kumar Adhikary, the Environment and Social Officer for the project, highlighted the timeliness and effectiveness of the SMART project. “It teaches women various climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, significantly enhancing their knowledge related to climate issues,” he stated.
Agriculturalist Dr. Asit Baran Mondal, Senior Assistant Director of RRF and Focal Person for the project, affirmed their commitment. “We continue the ongoing activities of the environment clubs. Through these club members, we are actively disseminating information in the community about steps to mitigate environmental disasters,” he said.
This initiative is a powerful example of how grassroots leadership, particularly by women, combined with strategic institutional support, can make a tangible difference in the global fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
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