Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today spoke at the Annual Community of Practices (CoP) Network Convention 2025 at Aloki in Dhaka. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Oct 29, 2025 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said change can’t always be controlled but the fight to survive depends on people and in families women play the strongest role in inspiring that fight.

"Although change is not in our control, the fight for survival is in our hands. And women provide the most inspiration for this survival in the family. A climate-resilient Bangladesh will be built with the indomitable courage of women," she said. 

Rizwana, also the adviser of the Ministry of Water Resources, made the remarks while addressing as the Chief Guest at the Annual Community of Practices (CoP) Network Convention 2025 – EmPower: Women for Climate Resilient Societies (Phase-II) held at Aloki here, according to a press release issued by the ministry. 

She observed that women in Bangladesh are leading the fight for climate resilience at home, in their communities, and across disaster-prone regions. 

“Through their unwavering strength and adaptability, women have never surrendered to adversity, poverty, or uncertainty,” she said, adding, “Empowering women means securing sustainable transformation in our response to climate change.”

Highlighting the need to rethink development priorities, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “We must balance our investment in mega infrastructure projects with increased allocations to protect people living in river erosion and disaster-prone areas.” 

She noted that the true sustainable development can only be achieved when every vulnerable and marginalized person is shielded from the impacts of climate change.

The adviser also emphasized scaling up small and community-based adaptation projects through government and private initiatives, saying that incorporating local women’s innovative climate adaptation efforts into the national development agenda is the need of the hour.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks, Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh Diepak Elmer, Representative of UN Women Bangladesh Gitanjali Singh and Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Shaheen Anam were also present.

At the convention, 10 “climate champions” — women working tirelessly in vulnerable regions — were awarded for their leadership in climate resilience. 

The adviser later visited various stalls showcasing innovative local adaptation initiatives.

The national convention brought together 100 women-led civil society organizations from across the country to share experiences and highlight locally-led adaptation practices. 

Artists also performed “poter gaan” (traditional narrative songs) depicting the impacts of climate change and community-led solutions.