Voices from the Riverbank: Life and Livelihood of Women Fishers Under Climate Pressure

Introduction

A consultation and needs assessment meeting was organized under the project “Pilot Initiative on Alternative Livelihoods for Women Fishers for Biodiversity Conservation” implemented by the Green Resilience and Cooperation for Ecosystem (GRACE).

The meeting was held on 22 May 2026 at Kachubunia Shamshan Ghat, Jalma, Batiaghata Upazila, Khulna. A total of 50 women fishers participated in the session.

During the consultation, detailed discussions were held on their daily livelihoods, income-generating activities, children’s education, and the impacts of climate change on their lives, along with possible solutions to address these challenges. The session also emphasized the importance of biodiversity conservation through the creation of sustainable and alternative livelihood opportunities.

GRACE continues to work dedicatedly to improve the quality of life of marginalized women fishers while promoting environmental protection and ecosystem sustainability.

Major Insights:

ü  The women in the community are highly dependent on the river for their daily livelihood, primarily relying on fishing as their main source of income.

ü  During natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, or government-imposed restrictions, they are unable to go fishing, which significantly affects their food security. In such periods, many households are forced to reduce their meals to one or two times a day instead of three.

ü  Most of the families live in very vulnerable conditions along the riverbank in small, fragile huts, making them highly exposed to environmental risks such as flooding and storms.

ü  On average, when fishing is possible, women earn around BDT 200 after spending 2–3 hours in the river. However, this livelihood activity comes with constant fear of storms, strong currents, and the risk of crocodile attacks, making their daily survival both physically demanding and unsafe.

ü  On average, each woman fisher is able to catch fish for around 10 to 15 days per month, earning approximately BDT 2,000 to 3,000 monthly. During peak fishing seasons, their income may increase to around BDT 5,000 to 6,000, depending on catch availability and weather conditions.

ü  The Government has provided Fisherman Cards as a form of safety net support; however, this assistance is not sufficient to sustain the livelihoods of families, which typically consist of 4–5 members.

Solutions for Alternative Livelihoods:

• Handcrafted fishing net making
• Poultry rearing (duck and hen farming)
• Livestock rearing (goat, sheep, cow, etc.)
• Small-scale business initiatives such as:
• Static tea stall
• Mobile/van-based floating vending
• Tailoring and sewing activities through skill development training
• Handmade product development (bamboo crafts, mats, etc.)
• Food processing and home-based small catering services
• Crab fattening or small-scale aquaculture activities
• Fish drying and value-added fish product preparation

Additional Options Could be….

• Vegetable gardening for household consumption and local sale
• Linkage with existing eco-tourism based Business