A symbolic 5km run in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, brought new attention on Monday to the daily struggles of women living on the frontlines of climate change.
“Run for Her Resilience 2025,” organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Brighters with support from the Green Climate Fund’s GCA project, aimed to honour the resilience of women who walk long distances each day to collect safe water.
Around 100 young participants—many of them men carrying pitchers—joined the run to reflect the physical burden women in coastal areas endure due to salinity intrusion and water scarcity. The event began at the Shyamnagar Upazila Parishad premises, inaugurated by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dedarul Islam.
“Addressing climate challenges requires collective action,” Dedarul said. “This run is a meaningful gesture of respect and awareness for climate-vulnerable women.”
Organizers said the event was designed to build empathy by placing men in women’s roles, prompting conversations about the gendered impacts of climate change.
For several participants, the experience was eye-opening. “It was extremely difficult to carry the water, so I had to place it in a van,” said Ashikur Rahman. “Today I finally understood how much hardship the women here face every day.”
Another participant, Meghla Mondol, recalled her own childhood struggles. “My mother used to walk long distances to fetch water. Now water is a little closer, but we still have to buy drinking water—and it is expensive,” she said.
UNDP Head of Communications Md Abdul Quayyum said the initiative underscores the disproportionate impact of climate change on women. “Highlighting their resilience through this initiative is both timely and necessary,” he added.
Local officials, project representatives and youth activists—including GCA National Project Manager Md Abdul Hannan, Knowledge Management Analyst Md Moniruzzaman, Shyamnagar Police Station Investigation Officer Md Peyar Uddin, Upazila Social Services Officer SM Doleyar Hossain, Brighters Director Sohanur Amin, and youth representative Zeva—were also present.
Organizers said they hope the run will inspire broader community commitment to safeguarding climate-vulnerable women and building a more resilient future.
