Salma’s Resilience: A Journey Towards Hope

Empowering Women in Climate-Vulnerable Communities

I n the coastal village of Khulna, Salma’s life was defined by struggle from an early age. Born into a poor family, she was married off at just 12 years old, as per the customs of her community. By 15, she was a mother, deeply devoted to her son. But just two years later, her husband abandoned her, leaving her to raise her child alone. At 17, Salma was a single mother with no means of support and no home of her own. Her world, already fragile, seemed to crumble further. 

The challenges Salma faced were immense. Her coastal community, while picturesque, was ravaged by climate change. Storms, floods, and surges were constant threats, especially during the monsoon season. Every year, the rising waters would flood Salma’s small shanty, leaving her and others displaced, with no stable place to call home. The land was salty, the water undrinkable, and the health risks from constant exposure to contaminated water were severe. Salma, like many others, had to travel long distances to access clean water, but often, the authorities limited access to safe sources, leaving them no choice but to use the saline pond, causing skin diseases and further health complications. 

“I had to carry water from miles away, but sometimes, they wouldn’t even let us go close to the clean wells. We had no choice but to buy mineral water with the money which we would spend to buy rice (main staple). And if we couldn’t afford it, then we had to drink from the salty water ponds,” Salma recalls, her eyes reflecting the pain of those days. “My son would often fall ill from the salty and filthy pond water, and I couldn’t do anything to cure, prevent – to help him.” 

Amid this dire situation, Salma’s only source of income was seasonal labor. She worked tirelessly stitching Nakshi Katha, a traditional Bengali quilt with hand stiches, during the winter months. But the work was unpredictable, and during the hot and wet months, she had no steady income. Despite these financial struggles, Salma’s greatest pain was the thought that her son, the one thing she loved most in this world, would never receive an education. 

“I wanted so badly for him to have a future,” Salma says, her voice breaking. “But how could I send him to school when we barely had enough to eat?” 

Her days were long and exhausting, and yet, Salma never gave up. She tutored local children, hoping that one day her son would break free from the cycle of poverty through education. But it often seemed like an impossible dream. 

Salma’s life began to change when she met Eety, a representative from the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) working with partners on the Coastal Towns Climate Resilience Project. This initiative, led in collaboration with GCA, aims to strengthen the climate resilience of 22 coastal towns through infrastructure assessments, improved living conditions, and community-driven adaptation. For women like Salma, it offers more than just physical upgrades—such as climate-resilient roads and safe water systems—it opens doors to skills training, leadership development, and a stronger voice in shaping their community’s future. 

At first, the thought of joining the project’s activities felt overwhelming. Salma had never taken part in a formal initiative or assumed a leadership role, and the skills required seemed unfamiliar. But with steady guidance from GCA and its partners, she began to find her footing—speaking up for her needs, sharing ideas in local planning meetings, and actively helping to implement adaptation solutions identified for her village. 

It was a difficult journey. Her first major task was supporting on climate-resilient road construction initiatives—projects designed to withstand flooding and improve year-round access for her community. The work was physically demanding and the pay modest, but it was steady. And for the first time in years, Salma could count on an income. She also became involved in community discussions about clean water access and drainage improvements, learning how these projects fit into a larger vision of protecting vulnerable households from the impacts of climate change. 

“When I finally enrolled my son in school, it felt like I had won a battle,” Salma says with a proud smile. “I was doing what I thought was impossible for so long. My son is being educated in school now, and I can only hope he will have a better life than I did.” 

Today, Salma continues to work on climate adaptation initiatives under GCA —whether it’s maintaining paved roads, supporting canal re-excavation to improve drainage, or helping other women join activities of programs and planning. Her confidence has grown alongside her skills, and she is recognized in her community as someone who not only survived hardship but is now actively taking part in shaping her coastal area’s future. 

The ideas presented in this article aim to inspire adaptation action – they are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Center on Adaptation.

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