Study: Sexual harassment is rampant in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh

According to a study released on Sunday (August 31), sexual harassment remains the most pressing issue faced by Rohingya women and teenagers living in the Cox Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Ahmed, the policy, research and advocacy manager of Action Aid, which conducted the study, said: "Sexual harassment is the biggest problem."

Early marriage and polygamy have become the norm, and 93% of the respondents have no access to legal aid.

Action Aid conducted 66 in-depth interviews to complete the report. The report said that the perpetrators included not only men known to their families but also members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) deployed by the Bangladeshi government.

Ahmed said, "Rohingya women and teenagers often suffer from sexual harassment, rape, trafficking, poverty, educational exclusion, and even face death threats."

Girls aged six to 15 are particularly vulnerable, and most sexual harassment incidents occur near toilets and bathhouses. They are vulnerable in material distribution centers, hospitals, schools and religious schools, border areas, and even in their relatives' homes.

Kabir, the executive director of Action Aid, said, "Patriarchy is deeply rooted in the Rohingya community."

The women under investigation urged the authorities to improve lighting in public places, replace APBN police officers with military personnel, involve men in prevention work, and expand access to education and livelihood.

Trust in law enforcement agencies and religious leaders remains very low, and many women point out that they have almost nowhere to turn for help when facing abuse.

However, APBN commander Sikdar said they were not aware of any such accusations against the troops.