On August 30, 2025, ActionAid released a study highlighting that sexual harassment remains the most pressing concern for Rohingya women and adolescent girls living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where around a million refugees have fled violence in Myanmar. Based on 66 in-depth interviews, the research found that girls aged 6 to 15 were most vulnerable, with harassment frequently occurring near latrines, bathing spaces, distribution centres, schools, and even within relatives’ homes.
The study reported that early marriage and polygamy have become normalized, while 93 percent of women surveyed remain outside any legal assistance. Testimonies revealed that violence was perpetrated not only by known men but also by members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN), the security force deployed in the camps. ActionAid’s Tamazer Ahmed noted that abuses have shifted from initial struggles for basic amenities to more systemic threats including molestation, rape, trafficking, and exclusion from education.
Women surveyed called for urgent steps including improved lighting in public areas, replacing APBN officers with army personnel, engaging men in prevention, and expanding education and livelihood opportunities. Trust in law enforcement and religious leaders remains low, leaving women with few avenues for redress. ActionAid Executive Director Farah Kabir said Rohingya women’s voices, especially those aged 16–30, were central to the research, underscoring the urgent need to address gendered violence in the camps.
Source: The Daily Star
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