Climate Crisis Deepens Inequality for Dalit Women Sanitation Workers in Bangladesh.

Photo by Mumtahina Tanni on pexels.com 

Amnesty International reveals that Dalit women sanitation workers in Bangladesh are currently facing human rights violations. As the country is among those most affected by climate change, international authorities have raised their concerns about this minority group’s access to water and other essential resources.

Amnesty International recently published a report exposing human rights abuses and gender-based violence against Dalit women sanitation workers in Bangladesh. According to the NGO, these women in south-west Bangladesh struggle to access safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and receive no assistance from governmental authorities. The 20 women interviewed explained that they must rely solely on transporting water from distant facilities, as their households are not connected to any drinking water supply. The lack of access to toilets, combined with inadequate support or breaks during menstruation and pregnancy, puts their health at significant risk. In addition, they have been completely excluded from climate change relief programs, making them even more vulnerable to the effects of the environmental crisis affecting the country. 

Several international studies and analyses highlight that Bangladesh is currently one of the states most exposed to climate change. Dalit women live primarily in Khulna and Satkhira, areas frequently hit by cyclones, droughts, and extreme floods, making them among the most vulnerable regions in the country. The government has adopted different measures in recent years to strengthen climate resilience and emergency preparedness, becoming recognized as a global leader in the area. However, the state continues to be negatively affected by climate-related impacts that undermine its stability and development. According to the World Bank Group, due to the consequences of reduced agricultural productivity and water scarcity, 13.3 million people may become internal migrants by 2050. 

Minority groups are disproportionately hit by these challenges, including Dalit women sanitation workers, who are denied access to aid programs primarily because of their gender, occupation, and caste. UN Women reports that gender-based gaps remain high in Bangladesh. Religious law governs marriage, divorce, parental rights, maintenance, and succession; these "personal laws" frequently discriminate against women.

The international community has increasingly addressed the issue, urging the government and relevant authorities to take action. “Bangladesh must address the deep-rooted caste inequalities that have left economically excluded and marginalized coastal Dalit communities bearing the brunt of the climate emergency,” said Isabelle Lassée, Deputy Director Research for South Asia at Amnesty International. As the overall sanitation and water situation remains critical, several United Nations Agencies have emphasized the urgent need to address the problem.

written by Ludovica Muncibì