Impacts of climate change on food security of rural poor women in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose

It is well recognized that the poor who are already vulnerable and food insecure are likely to be more vulnerable to climate change. Especially the poor and marginal in developing nations are highly exposed and vulnerable as they have limited resources to adapt with climate uneven. For example most of the coastal communities in Bangladesh are poor and highly exposed to extreme climate evens and half of the coastal population is women, who are considered as most vulnerable to climate change impacts comparer to others as noted in (Dankelman et al., 2008). Social, economic and political context for women in Bangladesh makes them more vulnerable to climate change and food security. Furthermore, they suffer more than men during and after climatic disasters (FAO, 2008).

Design/methodology/approach

Through empirical studies among the rural poor women in south‐western coastal areas of Bangladesh, this study explores their hardship and perceptions about climate change impacts.

Findings

It also scrutinizes the impact of climate change on the food security of rural poor women through examining the changes in food availability, consumption pattern and women's daily working pattern and changing lifestyle to ensure household food security.

Understanding

This study would help the development workers to realize the nature and extent of the problems and thus facilitate to undertake effective policies and actions.

Citation

Ara Parvin, G. and Reazul Ahsan, S.M. (2013), "Impacts of climate change on food security of rural poor women in Bangladesh", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 24 No. 6, pp. 802-814. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-04-2013-0033