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International Development and Studies

Mapping the Water Security Challenges in Water-Stressed Coastal Bangladesh: A Social Science Inquiry Saleh Ahmed*, Saleh Ahmed, Autumn Bland,

The social-ecological reality of water insecurity in Coastal Bangladesh is complex, as this is a region which is highly vulnerable to various climate-related stressors, including tropical cyclones, storm surge, salinity intrusion, and coastal flooding.  This study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, as the data comprises 200 semi-structured interviews of Bengali Muslims, who are local majority, and Rakhine ethnic populations across Kalapara, Taltoli and Ampara of coastal Bangladesh. Using the theoretical frameworks of disproportionality and intersectionality, this study finds that while the majority of respondents utilize deep tube-wells, access to water remains inequitable in the region. Further analysis reveals an indication of significant association between the responsibilities of water collection and sex, with adult females bearing the majority of the burden.  Furthermore, a two-tailed test confirms that women travel significantly further than men to collect water. These challenges are compounded by poor road conditions and safety concerns; this is often obscured by local and social taboos. While chi-squared tests showed no statistically significant differences in perceived water quality based on sex or ethnicity, field insights suggest that the Rakhine ethnic minority exhibits a higher sensitivity to water management due to distinct cultural and social norms. Water insecurity functions as the compounding factors of social vulnerability, poverty and patriarchal structures meld into a perpetual feedback loop, further instilling injustice for marginalized populations. The findings from this study underscore the necessity of an intersectional lens, especially when considering the development of climate adaptation strategies to address the disproportionate burdens faced by coastal communities.