In the climate-vulnerable landscapes of coastal Bangladesh, women stand on the frontline of survival. They walk far for water in the hot sun. They keep their families safe from rising salinity and face the stress of losing freshwater sources.
These same women are often ignored in formal decision-making areas, but they are creating some of the best community-led climate solutions. In Sonnasi village, located in the Khaulia Union of Morrelganj, Bagerhat, women have transformed both their access to water security and their roles in community leadership.
A Crisis That Fell Heavily on Women
Before 2016, the people of Sonnasi relied on ponds, canals, and one pond sand filter (PSF) for their drinking water. Every year, March and April arrived like a warning in a period of severe water scarcity.
The nearby canals which used for household activities, became increasingly saline, unusable and unsafe for consumption. With climate change intensifying saltwater intrusion, the crisis worsened year by year.
It was women who paid the highest hardship. As the primary collectors of water, they walked far from home, searching for a source that was still drinkable. This was not merely an exhausting daily chore; it was a responsibility that compromised their safety, dignity and time.
Many missed out on income opportunities and community participation because they spent hours obtaining water. Girls were often burdened which affecting their education and wellbeing.
The crisis was not only environmental but also it was deeply social, affecting the structure of women’s lives.
A Community-Based Solution Takes Shape
Recognizing the growing urgency, the community began exploring options to collect and store freshwater during the monsoon season. In 2016, a community-based rainwater harvesting system was established which is simple in design, but transformative in impact.
The system consists of four water tanks, each with a capacity of 5,000 liters, totaling 20,000 liters of stored rainwater. It gathers water from the roof of a nearby two-story house. This is allowed by a community agreement that lets local families share access.
The Community Climate Resilience Center (CCRC) manages this system. It is a community group created with help from the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB). Twenty families currently rely on the system for safe drinking water.
Each family gives 5 takas for two jars of water. All the money collected goes into the CCRC bank account. The money is used entirely for maintenance and cleaning which ensure that the system remains sustainable and community-owned.
The rainwater harvesting system helped solve the community’s long-lasting water problem. Its real power comes from how it is managed. This initiative is locally implemented, managed, owned and led by women.
Where Women Lead, Communities Thrive
Water governance in Sonnasi is an inspiring example of women-led climate action. Every alternate afternoon Sefali Begum a 35-year-old community member, stands in front of the rainwater tanks to distribute water.
She manages the supply for one hour every other day during the dry season. She makes sure that all 20 families have fair access and see everything clearly.
Under her leadership, the system runs with remarkable order and trust. A process once dominated by scarcity and struggle has become predictable, safe and manageable.
Families now get enough water to last them about 40 days during the worst times of the dry season. This was hard to believe just a few years ago.
For the women of Sonnasi, the change has been life altering. They no longer walk long and unsafe distances for water. The water source is now just a few steps away and close to their homes.
The heavy psychological and physical burden that women once carried has been replaced by confidence, dignity and collective strength.
Sefali’s calm leadership shows an important fact about women and climate resilience: when women are in charge, solutions are fairer, more sustainable, and connected to real-life experiences.
Restoring Dignity and Strengthening Climate Resilience
The benefits of the system extend far beyond access to drinking water. Now that collecting water takes less time, women can spend more time on family care, earning money, and getting involved in the community.
Their voices are now louder in local decisions, and their leadership has created a new story about climate resilience. This story sees women not as victims but as change-makers.
The system has also strengthened resilience at the household and community levels. When there are extreme dry times and nearby areas face serious water shortages, the families in Sonnasi feel stable and safe.
The community can collect rainwater and store it safely. This helps them handle changes in the weather throughout the seasons.
The success of this plan comes not just from the technology but also from the feeling of ownership created by people working together. Because the system is women-led and community-managed, maintenance is regular, responsibility is shared and trust is strong.
A Story of Hope in a Changing Climate
The experience of Sonnasi village conveys an important lesson: climate solutions are most effective when they prioritize women’s leadership. Women have a profound understanding of the challenges.
They manage water at the household level, navigate the impacts of shrinking resources and care for those most affected. When they are trusted with leadership roles, their actions generate lasting change.
The women of Sonnasi have changed their lives and their community. They went from walking long distances in the sun to get water to now managing a whole system for community water. Their journey from crisis to leadership is a testament to the resilience, ingenuity and strength of women in climate action.
Bangladesh is dealing with more salt in the soil and growing climate problems. The example of Sonnasi shows what can be done. Their story highlights that climate justice is not only about buildings and systems but also about giving power, respect, and making women a key part of the solutions.
Author:
Md. Ashrafuzzaman Khan
Interim Coordinator – Resilience Building
Climate Change Program, CCDB
Date: 20th April 2026
