In October 2024, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), embarked on an essential study in Bangladesh’s Rohingya camps. This initiative aimed to uncover key advocacy messages and propose strategies to bolster protection programs while promoting gender equality in accessing housing, land, and property (HLP) rights. The intricacies of gender dynamics in these camps reflect pressing socio-economic disparities.
Employing a mixed-methods methodology, the study gathered data across 12 camps in Teknaf and Ukhiya. By engaging with 384 respondents quantitatively, alongside qualitative insights from key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and impactful case studies, the research captured a nuanced perspective on the challenging landscape of HLP rights. The findings starkly illustrate the gendered barriers that hinder women’s access, entrenching their vulnerability.
The evidence gathered paints a vivid picture of the entrenched gender disparities within the Rohingya refugee camps. Women and girls navigate a web of patriarchal norms and economic dependence, paralyzing their ability to claim HLP rights. Overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure, and the absence of privacy exacerbate their struggles; inadequate sanitation, gender-based violence, and the lack of safe spaces compound their plight. Cultural expectations and a lack of legal identity multiply the challenges faced, particularly for women-led households.
A study in October 2024 by YPSA and the NRC examined gender disparities in accessing housing, land, and property rights for Rohingya women in Bangladesh. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data from 12 camps showed significant societal barriers, including patriarchal norms and economic dependency that hinder women’s abilities to claim their rights. Urgent interventions are needed to promote gender equality and improve their quality of life.
The study highlights critical interventions needed to address gender disparities in HLP rights in Rohingya camps. Women’s struggles are shaped by entrenched patriarchal systems and financial insecurity, which obstruct their ability to assert their rights. Tackling these barriers requires a multifaceted approach to protection programs that prioritizes the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls in these vulnerable communities.
This article delves into the pressing issue of gender dynamics within the Rohingya refugee camps, where women face stark barriers to accessing housing, land, and property rights. Despite the ongoing humanitarian efforts, patriarchal structures and socio-economic factors intertwine to create an environment that stifles women’s rights and protections. This examination sheds light on the urgent need for advocacy and structured interventions to foster gender equality and improve living conditions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
