Violence Against Rohingya Refugee Women in the Nayapara Camp in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has been a hub of Rohingya refugee for many years. The
Rohingya is the most vulnerable group of the world’s refugee communities. This study
aims to shed light on violence against women in documented Rohingya refugees living
in the Nayapara camp located in the Cox’s Bazar district under Teknaf Upuzila of
Bangladesh. However, the living status of Rohingya refugee is very poor and they are
not legally allowed to find employment in Bangladesh. At the same time, state support
is minimal and the mobility of refugee is highly restricted by violence and intimidation.
Women are more vulnerable both inside and outside the camp. The study has applied
case study method for collecting primary data. It has also applied interviews and
informal discussion methods for collecting primary data. The study found that women
of Rohingya refugee suffer multiple forms of violence, including domestic violence,
rape, sexual harassment, forced marriage, trafficking, forced prostitution, coerced
suicide, murder and other psychological and physical torture in the camp and also
outside the camp. Most of the domestic violence happens for frustration and minimal
support of living. On the other side, rape, other sexual and physical harassment,
trafficking also occurred in the camp by local villagers and refugee community.
Accommodation, sanitation, limited work opportunities, moving restriction, arrest etc.
are the main causes of violence in the camp. The study recommends that the
government of Bangladesh should enhance bilateral ties with Myanmar in order to push
back Rohingya refugees to their home countries and also to ensure living conditions for
protecting human rights.