Cox’s Bazar, Oct 21 – Dozens of women, men and young people walked along the Cox’s Bazar beach on Tuesday demanding climate and gender justice.
It is one of the first events by ActionAid under a global campaign titled ‘Walk for Survival’ which focuses on increased injustice across the globe.
The campaign is calling for a “Better and Fairer World” and “Just and Green Recovery” in fighting climate and environmental crisis, gender-based violence across the globe, according to a press release.
The event was joined by over 200 participants and representatives of YouthNet for Climate Justice. With this event, ActionAid Bangladesh launched the ‘Walk for survival in Bangladesh’ and will continue walking across the country through the year.
Head of Humanitarian Response of ActionAid Bangladesh Abdul Alim said that recently the country is experiencing a rise in the number of disasters.
“In 2020, we had to respond to a series of disasters associated with climate change. COVID-19 also pushed many people back to poverty,” he said.
“We need to have a change in the system in terms of the way we address disaster recovery that promotes environmental, social and economic justice.”
Officer, Resilience and Environmental Sustainability Anhara Rabbani said we have only a few years in hand to address the climate crisis.
“Climate change is impacting our biodiversity, food security and worsening our environment. It’s critical that we act now to build a better future,” he said.
Every day, because of the climate crisis, people are being displaced from their homes. The displaced people, women and children are forced to walk miles to find shelters when they lose their homes to floods and cyclones.
“Our walk today was in solidarity with all those who are displaced by the impact of climate change and facing gender-based violence across the globe,” said Tanjir Hossain, Lead – Resilience and Climate justice of ActionAid Bangladesh. – UNB
