A) Environment Degradation

A.1. Effects of Soil Erosion on the local communities:

In order to make adjustment with an adverse effect of the fast growing population of
Shyamnagar upazila, the modernization of agricultural sector with proper use of land is
mandatory. It is suggested that advance science- based agriculture with innovative use of soil
and integrated farming system is required to achieve the sustainable development goal. But
due to various socio-economic constraint, the massive trend of industrialization, unplanned
use of land and environmental pollution; it becomes very hard job in this upazila. About 10%
economic damage is occurred by the soil erosion in these three unions of Shyamnagar
upazila, Satkhira district (Specifically, Munshigonj = 12%, Burigoalini = 12% & Atulia =
9%). [Source: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)].

Some effects of the Soil/River erosion are mentioned below:

 Social life and livelihood damages
 Social wealth and homestead Damages
 Social, civic utility hamper
 People of that society migrate
 Social crime Increase
 Deforestation, destruction of mangrove ecosystems and a grove species of
flora and fauna and resulting in destruction of alternative sources of livelihood
 Traditional rice culture replaces by shrimp culture

Source:
https://www.academia.edu/69658285/
Socio_economic_impact_coastal_land_use_pattern_and_livelihood_status_of_Shyamnagar_u
pazila_Satkhira_Bangladesh

A.2. Waterborne diseases of the region:

The Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF) highlighted that 80% of all illnesses in
developing countries are attributed to unsafe drinking water and the spread of waterborne
diseases. A study in Shyamnagar upazila showed that, More than 70% of the respondents
identified diarrhea, dysentery, and skin diseases as the prime waterborne health risks that
occur through climate-related safe water scarcity.

Source:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13753-018-0211-8

(Specifically, Munshiganj = 75%, Burigoaini = 70%, Atulia = 70%) [Source: Key Informant
Interviews (KII)]

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A.3. Dependence of women on far away water sources at the region:
Frequent natural disasters such as cyclones, and rising sea levels have contaminated water
sources in coastal Bangladesh, forcing rural women to trek several kilometres every day to
fetch water for their families. It is estimated that, about 18% women depend on the far away
water sources for their drinking purpose in these region (Specifically, Munshiganj = 20%,
Burigoalini = 18% & Atulia = 15%). [Source: Key Informant Interviews (KII)]

A.4. Main Livelihood Activities at the region:

The livelihood activities of the regions under Shyamnagar upazila are mention below in
tabular form.

Women Men Men & Women

 Child caring  Farming

 Pottery
 Domestic jobs  Trading
 Teaching
 Livestock/Poultry rearing  Daily labor
 Daily labor
 Post-harvest work  Honey gatherer from
Sundarban  Milk selling
 Subsistence agriculture
tasks  Fishing/Fishing labor  Services

 Peddling  Working in the shrimp  Small trading

Ghers
 Firewood collection  Wood collection
 Shrimp fry collection
 Domestic maid  Cultivation
 Irrigation
 Paddy processing  Crops harvesting
 Water management
 Irrigation and water  Weaving
management  Construction
 Business
 Weaving  Weaving
 Fishing
 Working in the shrimp  Business
Ghers

 Business

 Fishing

Table: Social and economic activities of women and men of these regions

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Source:
https://www.academia.edu/69658285/Socio_economic_impact_coastal_land_use_pattern_an
d_livelihood_status_of_Shyamnagar_upazila_Satkhira_Bangladesh

B) Gender-Based Violence (GBV) issues

B.1. Overall Women’s Condition:
Women are half of the total population in Bangladesh, but their social status is very
miserable. The risk of women is high in the coastal area. Women are more vulnerable than
man to climate change and natural disasters. Women are the highest casualties rete with the
most affected group in society. The women livelihood and livelihood pattern are making
them more vulnerable to the climate change impact. The women vulnerability and the
socioeconomic condition are interlinked.

Source:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
338682604_Women_Rights_Women_Security_and_Domestic_Violence_in_Borkupot_and_
Henchi_Village_Shyamnagar_Satkhira_Khulna

B.2. Child Marriage:

Child marriage is a global problem

affecting millions of adolescent
girls in Africa and Asia.
Economic insecurity and poverty
are commonly viewed as the
primary determinants of child mar-
riage.

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Child marriage is a global problem
affecting millions of adolescent
girls in Africa and Asia.
Economic insecurity and poverty
are commonly viewed as the
primary determinants of child mar-
riage.
Child marriage is a global problem affecting millions of adolescent girls in Africa and Asia.
Economic insecurity and poverty are commonly viewed as the primary determinants of child
marriage. In these region of the Shyamnagar upazila the average rate of child marriages is
near about 25-30% of total marriages (Specifically, Munshiganj = 30%, Burigoalini = 30%,
Atulia = 25%) [Source: Key Informant Interviews (KII)].

B.3. Water Collection and GBV against Women:

In the study area of Shyamnagar, there is no security at the site of water sources. Women are
being subjected to violence and harassment of different kinds such as: stalking, forced
conversation, verbal harassment, eve teasing, criticisms, men demanding to take water first
even they come late and promoting inequality. Girls are teased on the way of water
collection, create obstacles during water collection. These incidents happen mostly in the
early morning, during noon and evening when there are less people around and if the women
or girl is alone. Parents often verbally and physically assault their adolescent daughters if for
some reason they come home late from water collection.

Some GBV against women during water collection are mentioned below:
 Stalking
 Forced conversation
 Verbal harassment
 Teasing
 Criticism
 Men demanding to take priority in collecting water
 Pulling on clothes

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  Create obstacles of different kinds
 Verbal and physical abuse by family members
 Cases happen during early morning, during noon evening or if women are alone

Source:
https://capnet-bd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Case_study_Report_-2020_CN_BD.pdf

About 15-20% women of the selected region under Shyamnagar upazila who collect water
from the water sources from far away are faced the GBV issues like domestic violence,
harassment, eve teasing, etc. [Source: Focus Group Discussion (FGD)].

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