Gendered Effects of Water Crisis. An Analysis of Everyday Struggles of Indigenous Chakma Women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

Abstract

The study explores how the worsening water crisis affects the triple roles of Chakma women living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The data collected conducting 16 semi-structured interviews and five KII reveals that the Chakma women are inextricably connected with water as they fulfil their gendered roles at reproductive, productive, and community spheres. Consequently, they have to suffer, struggle, and sacrifice profoundly during the water crisis. The crisis often exposes them to exacerbated challenges, including over-load of work, health complications, and loss of economic mobility. However, the study also highlights that they continue to address the adverse impacts of the crisis with sheer resilience,adopting various coping strategies shaped by family compositions, economic conditions, and age.