Study on disability-inclusive and gender-responsive early warning systems in Khulna, Bangladesh

This study investigates the extent to which early warning systems in Bangladesh are disability-inclusive, accessible, and gender-responsive. It examines the lived experiences of people with disabilities and women, identifies barriers to effective access and participation, and explores opportunities to strengthen people-centred approaches that better support those most at risk from disasters.

The study demonstrates that while Bangladesh has established strong foundations in cyclone EWS, these systems are not yet inclusive in practice. Persistent gaps in accessibility, coordination, data, and infrastructure, combined with entrenched social and gender norms, continue to exclude those most at risk. People with disabilities, women, and particularly women with disabilities, face overlapping and reinforcing barriers that limit their ability to receive, understand, and act on early warning information in a timely manner. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the identified gaps in inclusivity across multiple early warning channels. Moving forward, a concerted effort involving government agencies, civil society organisations, OPDs and women-led organisations, is crucial to translate these findings into actionable strategies that build more equitable and effective early warning systems for all in Bangladesh.