With a population of 170 million, Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to disasters and the impacts of climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. Nilphamari, a district in Northern Bangladesh, is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, such as recurrent flooding, droughts, and erratic rain patterns, which disproportionately impact women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

During such climate-induced events, women and girls often do not have access to essential hygiene and sanitation goods, including menstrual products. Access to resources for women drops significantly during flooding, with only 35% access and 6% control over essential services (Subah et al., 2024). Current disaster relief efforts often overlook women's specific needs, leading to inadequate support during crises (Ahmed, 2019). The need for immediate and practical solutions to assist women and girls in vulnerable communities in Bangladesh during flood seasons has never been more urgent, with climate crisis being deeply gendered and racialized in its disproportionate impacts. This project looked to address such gender-specific needs to ensure that women and girls are well-equipped in the event of a disaster or displacement through the distribution of the "Amar Bag" dignity kits, in collaboration with It's Humanity Foundation (IHF).

The "Amar Bag" (My Bag) dignity kits included menstrual products, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other personal care items like detergent and towels. The dissemination of products was coupled with the implementation of menstrual hygiene educational workshops for all the beneficiaries, in order to ensure that they have the capacity and appropriate knowledge to practice hygiene and sanitation with dignity. Through the centering of women and girls and shedding light on their systemically neglected needs and knowledge, the workshops looked to dispel the shame and deeply embedded patriarchal beliefs around menstruation. With the project taking place two days before Eid, we were also able to distribute new clothes to children in the region, with the support of Summer Fashion Ltd.

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, this initiative aimed to bridge immediate survival needs and long-term resilience through an inclusive, rights-based approach.