Blog Post by Aminur Rahman and Rehanuma Tabasum*
“When the cyclone swept through Shyamnagar, I lost not only my home but also my means of survival.”
As a widow, Fatima (pseudonym) had no choice but to migrate to the city, only to find herself trapped in an exploitative labor system. Fatima’s story is not unique—it reflects the grim reality of thousands of Bangladeshi women who are not migrating voluntarily but are being forcibly displaced by climate-induced disasters.
Bangladesh is recognized as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, with rising sea levels, frequent cyclones, floods, riverbank erosion, and land salinization rendering many regions uninhabitable. These environmental crises have forced millions to flee their homes in search of survival. Unlike economic migrants who relocate voluntarily for better opportunities, climate-induced displacement strips individuals of choice, pushing them into precarious urban labor markets where they face exploitation and abuse.
Forced Migration in the Context of Climate Change
Focus Group Discussion conducted at Shyamnagar Upazila
Shyamnagar Upazila, located in the Satkhira District, is among the most affected regions in southern Bangladesh. Increasingly frequent and severe disasters have devastated livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and shrimp farming—sectors where women are disproportionately represented. In January 2025, we conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with displaced women in Shyamnagar who frequently migrate to urban areas due to climate hazards. The objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of climate change on their lives. Their testimonies highlighted the forced nature of their migration—not a choice, but a desperate survival strategy in the absence of viable alternatives.
Climate Change and Women’s Forced Displacement
Women in Shyamnagar have historically engaged in agriculture and fisheries, but rising salinity, tidal surges, and repeated cyclones have destroyed their livelihoods. The FGD have underscored the growing impact of climate change on local livelihoods, particularly due to the increasing frequency of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, which now occur almost every year. These events have created significant economic challenges, with the average annual contribution of women to household income estimated at Tk. 42000 per year, representing approximately 43.52% of total income. As job opportunities dwindle, women face growing vulnerabilities in the workforce due to limited access to resources and assets, mobility challenges, inadequate skill development, low awareness, and weak social networks. This situation is exacerbated by natural disasters that have significantly reduced employment prospects for men, forcing families to survive on a single income. Consequently, women are compelled to seek work; however, available opportunities are limited. The shrimp farming sector, where many women previously found employment, is particularly affected, with annual flooding destroying shrimp farms and excessive heat contributing to the decline of fishery production. In this context, communities are facing severe economic losses and heightened vulnerability, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
Unlike voluntary migrants, these women do not migrate with economic aspirations but rather as a means of surviving their lives. . Recent scholarship, such as de Haas (2021), reframes migration as shaped by people’s capabilities, aspirations, and opportunity structures. When local conditions deteriorate—due to poverty, unemployment, or lack of livelihoods—migration shifts from a voluntary act to a survival strategy. Evidence such as that presented in Ruiz & Vargas-Silva (2013), shows that forced migrants—whether fleeing conflict, disaster, or economic collapse—face worse labor market outcomes and heightened vulnerability due to structural barriers in host place. In such contexts, economic migration becomes forced, driven by necessity rather than choice. Their decision to migrate urban areas was driven by a lack of livelihood opportunities in climate-affected regions. Unlike others who migrate abroad or to more prosperous towns with aspirations of achieving economic stability, these participants migrated to urban areas solely as a means of sustaining their lives. They are thrust into precarious urban employment, often in brickfields, where exploitative labor conditions, harassment, and gender-based violence are rampant. Their displacement is thus characterized by involuntary movement, economic precarity, and human rights violations—marking it as a form of forced migration under climate-induced distress.
The Exploitation of Displaced Women in Urban Labor Markets
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts that climate change will displace 150 million people by 2050, equating to one in every 45 individuals globally and one in every 7 in Bangladesh. The findings of this FGDindicate a significant decline in shrimp farming, accompanied by a scarcity of job opportunities and alternative income-generating activities. As a result, both men and women are increasingly migrating to urban areas, particularly to seek employment as laborers in brickfields. Participants like Fatima (pseudonym) report that individuals typically work in the brick fields for a duration of six months, after which employment opportunities become markedly limited for the remainder of the year. The discussion highlighted that in addition to married couples, widows and divorced women are notably represented in the labor force within brickfields. These demographics are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, compelling them to navigate their own means of livelihood in challenging circumstances.
Informal lending practices, referred to as Dadni in Bengali, are prevalent among workers in the brickfields industry, with individuals typically securing these loans six months prior to their employment. The terms of these loans require repayment through labor at the brickfields for duration of six months. This advance, however, often results in exploitative practices by brickfield owners, who impose additional work obligations on laborers beyond their initial agreements. Particularly concerning is the situation faced by female workers, who frequently endure extended hours of labor, leading to significant mental and physical health challenges. They reported that women are subject to harassment from male counterparts, including body-shaming and sexual harassment.
Psychosocial Consequences of Climate Displacement
The emotional and psychological toll on displaced women is severe yet often overlooked. Many suffer from anxiety and depression due to job insecurity, loss of community ties, and exploitation in unfamiliar urban settings. The traditional support networks that once offered resilience in rural areas are absent in labor migration sites, leaving women isolated and vulnerable. Moreover, the social stigma attached to displaced women—especially widows and divorcees—exacerbate their distress, as Fatima (pseudonym) addressed. Many fear reporting abuse due to shame, social exclusion, and a lack of trust in law enforcement. Addressing these issues requires not only economic solutions but also mental health support and community-based interventions to restore dignity and resilience among displaced women.
Policy and Governance Challenges
While existing labor laws in Bangladesh theoretically protect workers, enforcement remains weak. Brickfield owners frequently violate labor rights, taking advantage of women’s economic desperation. Additionally, government initiatives for climate adaptation often fail to address gender-specific vulnerabilities, leaving women disproportionately affected. There is a lack of legal oversight in informal labor sectors, particularly in brickfields, and limited skill development programs for displaced women. Inadequate financial inclusion strategies further contribute to the difficulties faced by widows and single mothers. Moreover, gender-based violence protections remain weak, leaving displaced women without sufficient legal recourse. Addressing these governance challenges requires stricter policy enforcement, investment in women-focused development programs, and stronger monitoring mechanisms to prevent labor exploitation and abuse.
Way Forward
To prevent further exploitation and marginalization of displaced women, urgent policy interventions and grassroots initiatives are needed. Collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector is crucial to developing sustainable solutions. Economic empowerment through climate-resilient vocational training programs and eco-friendly entrepreneurship opportunities can provide alternative livelihoods. Strengthening legal protections by enforcing labor regulations, implementing monitoring mechanisms, and expanding legal aid programs is essential. Additionally, financial inclusion efforts, such as microfinance programs targeting displaced women, savings schemes, and business loans, can help build economic resilience. Mental health support initiatives, including community counseling centers and awareness campaigns, are also critical to restoring psychological well-being. Without these urgent measures, the cycle of climate-induced vulnerability will continue, deepening gender inequalities and economic instability for future generations of Bangladeshi women.
*Aminur Rahman is a freelance researcher based in Dhaka. He has worked on projects funded by USDA, USAID, and USDOS. His research interests include climate change, migration, gender, and human rights.
Rehanuma Tabasum is a postgraduate student at Gopalganj Science and Technology University. Her research interests include women’s empowerment, women’s rights,and their participation in politics.
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