Riverbank erosion, gender and livelihood strategies : a case study in Burirhut, Bangladesh | |
| Author | Jahan, Jubaiya |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-08-16 |
| Subject(s) | Riparian areas--Management--Bangladesh Erosion Management--Bangladesh Disasters--Management--Bangladesh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-08-16 |
| Abstract | Riverbank erosion is one of the worst disa sters to the individual level as it destroy livelihood along with agricultura l land and homestead and make the victims totally help less poor. But the vulnerability of the population is not so extr eme only due to the intensity of the disaster but also due to the predisposed vulnerability of the marginalized people while women suffer differently and dispropo rtionately due to gender discrimination throughout her life. Thus, the ri verbank eroded area of Bangl adesh “Burirhat” had been selected purposively to know different pr edisposed vulnerability, coping strategy and livelihood strategy of men and women in order to make gender sensitive disaster risk and response management policy and program. In terview of key informants, questionnaire survey, interview and focus group discussi on were conducted to do the research. Women’s vulnerability is more severe than men due to their lower level of education, lack of resources, lack of income and also l ack of control over income, lack of savings, domestic violence, cultural and religious norms and valu es and also due to their reproductive responsibility. Moreov er, disaster also affects women disproportionately as most of their works are relate d to household. But whatever vu lnerability of the people have they had to cope with the crisis. Duri ng coping period women also had to suffer disproportionately due to soci ally prescribed gender divisi on of labor. Since riverbank erosion destroys livelihood along with land a nd homestead which is almost impossible to recover within twenty years; so, the vict ims need sustainable livelihood for long term survival than only food or other relief items. Due to erosion women lose their home ba sed livelihood but after riverbank erosion women’s livelihood is indispensable for the surv ival of the family. Furthermore, due to reproductive responsibility and so cio-cultural restrictions wo men’s option to migrate for better opportunity is closed. Therefore, women urgently need sustainable livelihood in the locality. On the other hand, though men have the opportunity to migrate for better opportunities in remote areas but men’s migr ation is a great problem towards women’s daily life, taking all family re sponsibilities. Thereby, sustainabl e livelihood is also needed for men in the locality to reduce women’s family burden. Therefore, especial emphasis will have to be given to women in disaster risk and response management to reduce their vulnerability and disproportionate coping burden. Moreover, sustainable livelihood need to be arranged for women and men according to their skill and market need, as only food and other relief can not solve the problem of the victim of riverbank erosion. |
| Year | 2008 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-08-16 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Bernadette Resurreccion; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Philippe Doneys;A.T.M. Nurul Amin; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship;NORAD Scholarship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008 |