Stronger Together: Coastal Communities Rethink Gender Roles During 16 Days of Activism

In climate-vulnerable coastal communities, gender inequality and climate stress often reinforce one another. As climate change increasingly disrupts livelihoods, water access, and income security, unequal gender roles often place a heavier burden on women while limiting men’s participation in household decision-making. These intersecting pressures can deepen household tensions and restrict women’s ability to participate fully in decisions that affect their lives.

Against this backdrop, UNDP Bangladesh’s Gender Responsive Coastal Adaptation (GCA) Project, supported by the Green Climate Fund and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, worked with local communities in Satkhira during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Through Interactive Popular Theatre, the campaign reached 2,000 people, including 1,450 women and 630 men, and created safe spaces to discuss gender roles, household responsibilities, and shared challenges.

A large community audience gathers in Satkhira as Interactive Popular Theatre creates a safe space for men and women to discuss gender roles, shared responsibilities, and climate-related challenges during the 16 Days of Activism.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Theatre as a Catalyst for Change

Interactive Popular Theatre (IPT) served as a powerful entry point for dialogue. The performances portrayed familiar household situations shaped by climate uncertainty, seasonal labor, unpaid care work, and decision-making authority. Many men recognized their own experiences reflected on stage, prompting self-reflection and discussion in ways that traditional awareness sessions often cannot achieve.

For many participants, these conversations revealed how unequal decision-making can increase stress within families. Ratan Mondol (pseudonym), a farmer from Shyamnagar Upazila and one of the participants of the performance, shared, “When I take all decisions alone, the pressure becomes heavier. Now I understand that deciding together keeps a family stable.”

Men participated actively, showing a growing willingness to challenge traditional gender roles. Choyon Roy from Dacope Upazila also reflected that “I now understand that cooking or fetching water is not only women’s work—it is part of taking responsibility for my family.”

Men and community members stand in solidarity against gender-based violence, holding messages that promote respect, shared responsibility, and support services during the 16 Days of Activism in coastal Satkhira.

©UNDP Bangladesh

From Awareness to Action

Community feedback highlighted that the theatre-based approach made sensitive issues—such as unpaid care work, respect within relationships, income control, and domestic tension—easier to discuss. The format encouraged empathy and honest dialogue among men and women alike.

Following the performances, men shared clear commitments. They said they would make major household decisions jointly, support women’s income-generating activities, and take on a fair share of domestic and care work, especially during peak livelihood seasons or climate-related disruptions. Many also committed to speaking out against harassment and verbal abuse in public spaces and supporting a safer environment for women in their communities.

A community member shares his reflections during a post-performance discussion, as Interactive Popular Theatre encourages men to speak openly about gender roles, shared decision-making, and responsibility during the 16 Days of Activism.

©UNDP Bangladesh

Women’s Voices and Shared Responsibility

Women emphasized the importance of being heard and knowing that support services exist. Shapna Rani (pseudonym) from Assasuni shared “Now I know that I can call 999 and 109 if needed.” Reflections also extended to online behaviour. Asif from Paikgacha noted that “Harassing women online is not right. I realized that the same could happen to my sister.”

Building Resilience Together

The campaign revealed early but meaningful signs of change. Men’s willingness to listen and commit to shared responsibility—alongside women’s growing confidence to speak and seek support—signals the emergence of stronger male allyship in coastal communities.

As the GCA Project continues to operate in five coastal upazilas across Khulna and Satkhira districts, it helps communities build climate-resilient livelihoods and secure safe drinking water close to home. The project works with local women’s groups and community committees to plan and manage these services so that women are recognised as leaders, not just caregivers. The Project aims to reach more than 700,000 people living on the frontlines of salinity and climate risk. These dialogues reaffirm a simple truth: resilience begins at home, and progress is sustained when responsibility is shared—together.

Sharing decisions and care work makes families stronger, especially in times of climate stress.