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OPINION

Women and Environment

Nahid Rahman
Bangladesh-a land of rivers became a liberated nation on December 16th 1971. The small deltaic region on the shores of Bay of Bengal encompasses an area of 143, 998 square kilometers where millions of people llve-although not in comfort. It is one of the poorest countries in the world with a GNP of only SI79 and an annual population growth rate of 2.2%.
With such a high growth rate accompanied by limited development activities a tremendous pressure is being exerted on the environment. Women form an integral part of the pressing since they have been long dependent on ft either directly or indirectly for obtaining food, shelter, clothing, air to breathe and earning a livelihood from. This environment is in danger and women have a lot to lose by turning their back to it.
Natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, and tidal bores are regular encounters for the 110.3 million people of Bangladesh of which 48.6% are women. The socio-economic framework has been contribut-:ng significantly towards the ■ilgh malnutrition and anemia rates In women In general and pregnant women in particular. The infant and maternal mortality rates are amongst the highest in the world today. If a woman Is not performing the traditional rote of motherhood then she is employed elsewhere which necessarily is not an indication of a better situation because here too she is unsafe, exploited and deprived.
Physical Environment : Due to a c'ose frequency of natural disasters the level of pollution has Increased causing an ecological imbalance. The resultant killing of birds and animals, destruction of forests, erosion and increasing salinity all these are directly linked to woman because she gets her sustatrence from these.
A iarg* number of the gar ment Industries earning substantial amount of foreign exchange for Bangladesh have woman employees where they encounter chemically treated fabrics and dust from cloths while working In uncongenially
small areas. Exploitation by male colleagues Is also a regular feature for these women. Her lack of education affects her efficiency and her ability to speak up In her defence.
The sericulture industries In this country are also dominated by woman labour force where she grows silkworms, takes care of the cocoons, and feeds the bred Insects. Continuous exposure to this is hazardous for health which Is often Ignored by the employers and owners.
Woman brick-breakers with their little infant/infants Inhaling dust particles are also regular sights on the streets. They receive less pay for equal work as men's.
As major industrial activities are limited to tanneries; pesticide and fertilizer factories; textile, paper, sugar and oil mills only they have become some of the major offenders of the environment.
Biological Environment: Typhoid. paratyphoid, shigellosis, streptococcal Infe-ctlons, diphtheria, hepatitis, amoebiosls etc. are some of the most common form of diseases microorganisms of which are found in polluted water. Many communities depend on such sources for meeting their dally requirements including drinking. The situation is worse during the regular flood season.
Pesticides like DDT to still in use. Chemicals like azo dyes (used by confectioners) which are known to cause cancer and banned drugs are still used and found across Bangladesh.
A woman's environment to her immediate surrounding which includes the many physical, biological and psycosoctal facets. Simply putting an end to all the mentioned activities or issues will not help since the country 1s already plagued with poverty. Issues have to be identified first, alternatives must be sought and awareness must be created at the various levels before any positive impact can be found.
Local governments. NOOs and individuals have a crucial role to play in this as human development cannot be achieved on its own, by a few*; if requires participation by all both men and women.