Women in Mongla experiencing increased hardship due to escalating salinity levels
In Mongla, a coastal town in Bangladesh, a water crisis is unfolding that is affecting the health and livelihoods of its residents, particularly women. A UNDP survey has revealed that 73% of people in five coastal upazilas, including Mongla, are compelled to drink saline water [1].
The situation is so dire that it mirrors the agony described in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner': "Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink" [6]. Women in Mongla regularly experience a lack of drinkable water, with many suffering from urinary tract infections, reproductive disorders, and skin conditions due to their greater reliance on water for household activities [2].
Liza Majhi, a widowed fisherwoman, shared her plight, having suffered from a urinary tract infection for months due to salty water. She is not alone; pregnant women in the area also suffer, and miscarriages are common [3]. Maria Majhi, a 67-year-old woman, shared that her eldest son left Mongla in search of work due to the destruction of their livelihoods by salinity, leaving her to raise his child [4].
The poor fishing communities cannot afford bottled water and are suffering from the lack of safe drinking water. Komla Sarker, a local activist, stated that climate change is the biggest problem in the area, causing both farming and fishing opportunities to diminish [4]. The Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) estimates that 53% of land in Bangladesh's coastal districts is now affected by salinity [5].
Professor Dilip Kumar Dutta, a faculty of the Department of Environmental Science of Khulna University, believes that the water crisis is both natural and man-made, and that sustainable solutions are needed [2]. He suggests preserving freshwater, using water from less-affected areas, and returning to indigenous practices like creating large community lakes.
To address this crisis, several initiatives are underway. Organizations like Badabon Sangho have distributed over 250 freshwater tanks among families in Mongla, providing a crucial source of safe drinking water [2]. These tanks have been instrumental in reducing waterborne illnesses, especially among children. UNDP and other organizations are also working on adaptation projects that include gender considerations to better support women in these vulnerable areas [3].
However, challenges remain, especially during dry seasons when safe water is scarce. The increasing duration and intensity of saline water intrusion demand more sustainable, large-scale solutions to secure clean water, improve healthcare access, and protect women’s reproductive health in Mongla and other affected coastal regions [1][3][5].
Subrata Deb Nath, the Duty Officer of Mongla Police Station, expresses concern about the lack of effective action from authorities to address the water crisis [2]. He is not alone in his concerns, as the crisis of water scarcity and salinity in drinking water sources continues to impact the health and livelihoods of the people of Mongla.
References: [1] UNDP (2021) Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Areas: A Case Study of Mongla, Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/climate-change-and-environment/climate-change-adaptation/climate-change-adaptation-in-coastal-areas-a-case-study-of-mongla-bangladesh.html [2] Badabon Sangho (n.d.) About Us. Retrieved from https://badabonsangho.org/about-us/ [3] The Daily Star (2020) Salinity intrusion: Women suffer most in Mongla. Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/environment/salinity-intrusion-women-suffer-most-mongla-1993981 [4] The Financial Express (2020) Mongla: Women in crisis as salinity levels rise. Retrieved from https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/mongla-women-in-crisis-as-salinity-levels-rise-15962179873534 [5] The Diplomat (2019) Salinity Intrusion in Bangladesh: A Growing Threat to the Country's Agriculture and Food Security. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2019/01/salinity-intrusion-in-bangladesh-a-growing-threat-to-the-countrys-agriculture-and-food-security/ [6] Coleridge, S.T. (1798) The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Retrieved from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44970/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner
- The water crisis in Mongla, a coastal town in Bangladesh, is causing health concerns and affecting the livelihoods of residents, particularly women, who are compelled to drink saline water due to a lack of alternatives.
- The lack of drinkable water in Mongla has led to numerous health issues among women, including urinary tract infections, reproductive disorders, and skin conditions.
- Liza Majhi, a widowed fisherwoman in Mongla, has been suffering from a urinary tract infection for months due to the salty water, mirroring the struggles faced by many women in the area.
- Pregnant women in Mongla also suffer, with miscarriages being common due to the saline water, and some are forced to leave the area in search of better opportunities for their families.
- Climate change is identified as the biggest problem in Mongla, causing both farming and fishing opportunities to diminish, making drinkable water even more scarce.
- Professor Dilip Kumar Dutta, a faculty of the Department of Environmental Science of Khulna University, believes that the water crisis in Mongla is both natural and man-made, and that sustainable solutions are necessary to preserve freshwater, use water from less-affected areas, and return to indigenous practices like creating large community lakes.
- Organizations like Badabon Sangho have distributed freshwater tanks among families in Mongla, providing a crucial source of safe drinking water, reducing waterborne illnesses, especially among children.
- However, challenges remain, especially during dry seasons when safe water is scarce, and effective action from authorities is needed to secure clean water, improve healthcare access, and protect women’s reproductive health in Mongla and other affected coastal regions.
