A chance to take action towards WASH needs in the face of climate change adversities
About Jolkona
The engineering sector has always been male-dominated in Bangladesh (Gender Statistics of Bangladesh 2018). Women who are in this sector have been facing numerous discriminations and challenges throughout their career path (Challenges of Women in Science: Bangladesh Perspectives, K Chowdhury). Despite having the intelligence and interest, these women often have been questioned in their career fields simply because of their gender (Challenges of Women in Science: Bangladesh Perspectives, K Chowdhury). Although, the women engineers have started to challenge the societal norms of the ‘ideal women’ image and have been working side by side with men in various sectors of engineering. However, even after the recent change, women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in universities (Gender Statistics of Bangladesh 2018). Furthermore, only 21% of women choose engineering as their major (Challenges of Women in Science: Bangladesh Perspectives, K Chowdhury).
Both WaterAid and ESAB believe in the increased participation of the youth generation in the nation. To enhance the voice of the youth population WaterAid Bangladesh has taken several initiatives in the past. Through the collaborative initiative with WaterAid Bangladesh, Engineering Students Association of Bangladesh (ESAB) is aiming to reach not only the entire youth but also the niche sector of young aspiring woman engineers in the country. Through this initiative, ESAB aims to engage and reach at least 40 women engineers through both online and offline platforms to help them contribute their time and voice towards WASH and climate agendas within the country. This collaboration seeks to further provide better knowledge and understanding of WASH and climate change topics with a focus on building the ability and competence of these women for project implementation and campaigns relating to water and climate challenges. Moreover, this initiative will consider supporting ways to improve.