Professor Mohammad Julfikar Ali, PhD, Chairman of the Department of Business Administration at Presidency University, Dhaka, presented a compelling account of the “silent crisis” faced by coastal women at the “4th Global Summit on Advances in Earth Science and Climate Change” in Berlin on September 29–30, 2025.
The summit, attended by nearly 70 experts from 35 countries, focused on “Earth’s Future: Harnessing Science, Technology, and Equity for a Sustainable Planet,” Presidency University said in a statement.
Dr Ali highlighted how climate change exacerbates salinity intrusion, water scarcity, and poverty in coastal Bangladesh, while women’s health and dignity remain overlooked.
He emphasized that women, deprived of clean water, often use saline water during menstruation, leading to uterine complications and severe pain.
Poverty and the lack of sanitary products force adolescent girls, some as young as twelve, to take contraceptive pills to suppress menstruation, risking long-term reproductive and psychological harm.
“Climate change is not only an environmental crisis; it is a women’s rights and health emergency,” he said, urging a broader focus on the gendered aspects of climate impacts.
Summit experts agreed, stressing the need for urgent international attention and policy interventions to protect women’s health and reproductive rights in coastal regions.
With over two decades of research, Dr Ali has authored 10 books and published 40+ papers in top journals, specializing in leadership, digital marketing, and customer relationship management.
He has presented research at global conferences and earned accolades, including the Bengali Literature Award and the Asian Education Award in 2023 for his literary contributions.
Dr Ali’s presentation at the Berlin summit marked a significant step in advancing Bangladesh’s voice in international climate advocacy, highlighting the urgent need for a gender-sensitive climate response.
