Gender-responsive Coastal Adaptation (GCA) Project
The Gender-responsive Coastal Adaptation (GCA) Project aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of coastal communities, particularly women and adolescent girls, to cope with the impacts of climate change-induced salinity on their livelihoods and water security. Implemented in the southwestern coastal districts of Khulna and Satkhira, the project focuses on empowering communities as ‘change-agents’ to plan, implement, and manage resilient livelihoods and drinking water solutions. The project promotes a paradigm shift towards community-centric solutions that build ownership and capacities across multiple stakeholders to sustain and scale up adaptive responses to safeguard livelihoods and water security.
Five-Axis Transformation via GCA
Data: The project collects and analyses climate data to inform community-based planning and decision-making processes, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the target communities.
Capacity Building / Technical Assistance: Capacity-building activities are conducted to enhance the skills and knowledge of community members, particularly women, in climate-resilient livelihoods and water management practices. Technical assistance is provided to support the implementation of these practices.
Technology / Machinery: The project promotes the adoption of appropriate technologies for water harvesting and climate-resilient agriculture, such as rainwater harvesting systems and saline-tolerant crop varieties, to improve water security and agricultural productivity.
Finance: Financial support is provided to communities to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and livelihood activities. This includes facilitating access to grants and micro-financing options for women-led enterprises.
Policy: The project engages with local and national policymakers to integrate climate resilience into development planning and policies, ensuring that gender-responsive adaptation strategies are incorporated into governance frameworks.
Strategic Impact & Value Proposition
Inclusive Climate Resilience: By focusing on women and adolescent girls, the project ensures that adaptation strategies are inclusive and address the specific needs and capacities of these groups.
Sustainable Livelihoods: The promotion of climate-resilient livelihoods enhances food security and income generation, reducing the vulnerability of communities to climate-induced shocks.
Improved Water Security: Access to safe and reliable drinking water solutions improves health outcomes and reduces the time burden on women and girls, enabling them to engage in productive activities.
Community Empowerment: Empowering communities as ‘change-agents’ fosters local ownership and ensures the sustainability of adaptation efforts.
Policy Integration: Engaging with policymakers facilitates the integration of climate resilience into national and local development plans, promoting long-term systemic change.