ActionAid Research: Rohingya Women Allege Sexual Harassment by APBn, Demand Army Deployment

Sexual harassment has emerged as the "most significant concern" in all Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. Rohingya women refugees have alleged that they are regularly subjected to sexual harassment by members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn). In response, they are demanding the deployment of the army in place of the APBn to ensure their safety in the camps.

These findings were revealed on Sunday (31 August) during a research report launch and dialogue organized by ActionAid Bangladesh at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.

The research, titled *Arar Hefajat* (Their Protection), involved interviews with 66 women and adolescent girls from three Rohingya camps in Ukhiya and 30 local women. Most participants were aged between 16 and 30 years. The study found that, alongside sexual harassment, early marriage and polygamy have become almost normalized in the camps. Only 7% of the women reported having independent access to legal assistance. Tamazer Ahmed, ActionAid Bangladesh’s Policy, Research, and Advocacy Manager, presented the key findings. He stated that Rohingya women are deeply frustrated with the behavior of APBn members. According to their complaints, APBn personnel often target attractive women, entering their homes under various pretexts and subjecting them to sexual harassment or abuse. Ahmed further noted that the APBn’s behavior was not initially problematic, but over time, they have become involved in bribery, extortion, sexual harassment, and other crimes. As a result, Rohingya women have requested the removal of the APBn and the deployment of the army across all camps. He added that when the army was briefly stationed in one camp, women felt safer, a sentiment echoed by women in other camps. When contacted, Mohammad Kawsar Sikdar, the commander of the 16th APBn, said, “I have been here for the past nine months, and so far, no such complaints have reached us.” The ActionAid research revealed that nearly half (48%) of the participating women believe counseling for men and boys is essential. Additionally, the dominance of armed groups and the spread of drugs in the camps pose significant threats to the women’s safety and well-being. Regarding repatriation, most women and adolescent girls (50-82%, depending on the camp) expressed a desire for safe repatriation to Myanmar, while younger participants showed interest in migrating to a third country. The research recommends the urgent establishment of gender-sensitive protection measures and long-term solutions for Rohingya women and girls. It also emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts to address the Rohingya crisis through humanitarian response, climate action, and peacebuilding initiatives. The event, titled *Arar Hefajat: The Protection Needs of Rohingya Women and Girls Through Their Voices*, was attended by representatives from government agencies, the United Nations, embassies, local and international development organizations, donors, researchers, experts, and media personnel. Speakers emphasized the urgent need to take action to ensure the safety of Rohingya women and girls, stating that the research is not merely a data-driven report but a reflection of the real-life challenges faced by Rohingya refugee women. They noted that the Rohingya crisis must be addressed holistically from social, economic, and humanitarian perspectives. Issues such as early marriage, gender-based violence, and restrictions on women’s mobility stem not only from patriarchal norms but also from insecurity and limited access to basic needs in the camps. They stressed the importance of establishing women-friendly facilities, including proper lighting, separate toilets, and bathing areas, as well as appointing female security personnel and forming women-led protection committees. To curb the influence of armed groups, setting up independent legal aid desks and strengthening law enforcement activities were deemed necessary. The discussion also highlighted the need for awareness and counseling programs for men and boys, as well as increasing women-friendly spaces, education, and livelihood opportunities to ensure the economic and social empowerment of Rohingya women, which would help reduce their vulnerabilities. Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, moderated a dialogue and stated, “Rohingya women and girls face multifaceted risks. Their voices indicate the urgent need for long-term, rights-based, and gender-sensitive initiatives to ensure their protection. This is a clear message for policymakers and the international community.”