Salinity and Reproductive Health: Exploring the impacts on reproductive health and psychosocial health of women and adolescent girls in coastal Bangladesh (360G-Wellcome-357360_Z_26_Z)

Climate change-driven salinity intrusion is silently but profoundly damaging the reproductive and psychosocial health of women and adolescent girls in coastal Bangladesh. Exposure to saline environments increases risks of infections, preeclampsia, emotional distress, and stigma, threatening health and dignity in some of the most climate-vulnerable communities. This project offers an urgent, community-powered response. Through interdisciplinary research, we will assess reproductive and mental health impacts, identify service gaps, and pilot sustainable, locally-led solutions — such as solar- powered water kiosks and peer-supported psychosocial interventions. Our integrated approach will generate new evidence linking climate stress to women's health, a critical and underexplored area in global health research. The outcomes will directly influence the revision of Bangladesh’s National Population Policy and guide scalable health adaptation strategies. Our findings will strengthen primary care services, build emotional resilience, and deliver low-cost, gender-sensitive innovations for safe water services. Community voices are at the heart of this project. Using participatory research frameworks, women and adolescents will co-design tools, lead peer education, and drive local change. Together, we will not only document climate impacts — but also create pathways of hope, dignity, and resilience for generations to come.