Silent Suffering: The Tormenting Life of Rohingya Women in Refugee Camps of Bangladesh

Abstract

Rohingya women and girls have endured profound violence, deprivation, and statelessness since their mass displacement in 2017. This study employs a qualitative design based on rigorously selected secondary sources to examine the intersecting vulnerabilities shaped by gender norms, political exclusion, and structural inequalities in Bangladesh’s refugee camps. It advances the literature by offering a more integrated causal analysis of how patriarchal practices—including purdah—constrain mobility, limit access to healthcare and education, and perpetuate gender-based violence. The findings demonstrate how socio-cultural norms, humanitarian governance structures, and policy restrictions jointly reproduce women’s marginalization while also highlighting their resilience through community networks and adaptive coping strategies. Recommendations emphasize gender-sensitive reforms, improved legal protections, and enhanced humanitarian accountability.