Rasheda Akhter from Manikgonj

Rural women have been tirelessly playing a crucial role in protecting the environment for generations. Since ancient times, women have actively participated in farming, poultry and livestock rearing, vegetable cultivation, ensuring family nutrition, collecting water, and gathering fuel for cooking, among many other essential tasks.

Experts say that out of the 24 stages of agriculture, male farmers typically handle only 7, while female farmers manage at least 17. Yet, women are still not formally recognized as farmers. Quietly and without recognition, they continue to contribute to agriculture, environmental protection, and the overall welfare of the country.

Today, due to climate change, various natural disasters and crises are emerging. In such events, women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are often the most affected even though they contribute the least to climate change. Women do not destroy nature; they conserve it. They are often referred to as guardians of nature. With their indigenous knowledge and experience, women have designed and used environment-friendly oven locally known as “bondhu chula” which play an important role in environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions.

While describing the importance of using this oven Fatema Begum, president of Alor Pathik Nari Songothon (Women’s Organization) in Charmot village, Krishnapur Union, Manikganj Sadar Upazila, said, “I have been using this oven for six years. It can burn wood and other fuels. I can make it myself and teach others too. BARCIK organized a fair where we discussed the benefits of these stoves. Now, many members of our group are using them.’ Kalpana Begum, general secretary of the organization state the same beneficialiity of the oven saying, “I have been using this stove for five years. It requires less fuel, produces less smoke, and doesn’t irritate the eyes. Cooking pots get less blackened, making them easier to clean”

Other women such as Monju Begum, president of the Dholeshwari Women’s Group, Jagir Union, Praja Rani Rajbongshi, president of Madhobilata Nari Songothon in Gazi Nobogram, Nobogram Union, Sumi Begum, a woman farmer from Soyedpur village and
Rehena Begum, a woman farmer from Bangra village mentioned the benefit of using this oven as it is environment friendly and it saves fuel as well as good for health. They expressed gratitude to BARCIK providing training on making these eco-friendly oven.

In Manikganj district, across the Manikganj Municipality, Krishnapur, Jagir, Betila-Mitora, and Putail Unions in Sadar Upazila, and parts of Harirampur and Ghior upazilas, 150 women are making and using these environment-friendly ovens. They use local clay to make these ovens themselves, supporting each other in the process. This collaborative effort fosters mutual support and strong community ties.

In this way, rural women through their daily labor and indigenous knowledge are quietly and selflessly making a significant contribution to environmental protection and the fight against climate change.