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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how climate change impacts the engagement of female labour in agriculture in the Sundarban delta, which routinely experiences flooding and cyclones due to climate change, through case studies and semi-structured interviews.

Paper long abstract:

It is well-evidenced that climate change has a detrimental adverse impact on agricultural practice and productivity. However, the extent and manifestations of this impact could vary across geographic contexts. The Sundarban delta in India and Bangladesh, which is the focus of this study, primarily generates income for its residents through agriculture. It annually experiences severe floods and cyclones due to climate change which significantly impacts the resilience of agricultural livelihoods of its residents. In South Asia, agriculture is heavily dependent on women’s formal and informal work. Climate change has made continuing agriculture hazardous and expensive. It leads to an inequality trap, threatening their livelihoods, rendering them at risk of other vulnerabilities, forcing migration, and impacting their health outcomes. Given that women play a pivotal role in agriculture in the region, the impact of climate change on their livelihoods and ability to continue agriculture is worth considering. This paper aims to establish the various ways climate change determines women’s participation in agriculture in the Sundarban delta through case studies and focus group discussions.