| dc.description.abstract | Bangladesh is considered one of the most climate-stressed areas globally, sensitive to slow and rapid-onset hazards. Coastal inhabitants face various socioeconomic challenges alongside physical exposure to cyclones and salinity, among other factors. Southwest Bangladesh is also home to the Sundarbans, the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest, crucial for the livelihoods of coastal inhabitants and protection from disasters. However, people's livelihoods are increasingly vulnerable and challenging due to forest degradation, rising environmental stressors, and other socioeconomic drivers. Particularly affected are women, who already face challenges related to access to natural resources and financial
or physical assets due to socio-cultural and patriarchal norms, especially in rural areas. Within this context, migration is often chosen as a livelihood strategy, typically carried out by men, leaving women behind, while others voluntarily or involuntarily opt for non-migration despite the risks. Moreover, more women are entering the forest for resource collection and taking on roles traditionally performed by their male counterparts to sustain their livelihoods and develop adaptation strategies. This study investigates the circumstances of women's immobility within mangrove-dependent communities in southwest Bangladesh. It focuses on the intersection between women's relationship with the Sundarbans social-ecological system and its influence on their non-migration livelihood pathways. Drawing insights from social-ecological system theory and feminist political ecology, I applied the sustainable livelihoods framework and conducted a mixed-methods approach to develop this empirical study. The main findings firstly demonstrate how women are shifting their traditional roles to engage
in diverse livelihood activities outside their homes and collecting resources, with 80% of sampled women considering staying put. The study also underscores the importance of considering social subsystem interventions in shaping non-migration aspirations and how social actors enhance or deteriorate women's livelihoods. The application of an intersectional lens when studying the correlation between women's livelihood capitals and their migration considerations strengthens the idea that addressing dimensions like access or agency in the field of climate change adaptation and gender is critical to comprehending the livelihoods of non-migrant women and their challenges in resource-dependent communities. Future investigations should delve into women's resource utilisation, the influence of economic and social capital, and the development of the crab business for social and ecological sustainable practices. They should also address the specific challenges posed by increasing salinity and water-related hazards and their impact on women's non-migration aspirations. | |
