Most Rohingya women and girls living in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps want to return to their homeland in Myanmar if safe and dignified repatriation is guaranteed, according to new research unveiled by ActionAid Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday (31 August).

The study, titled “Äarar Héfazot (Our Protection): Echoing the Voices of Rohingya Women and Girls in the Face of Protection Risks”, found that between 50% and 82% of female participants across different camps expressed a desire to go back to Rakhine State. Emotional, cultural, and economic ties with their homeland were cited as the main reasons behind their preference.

Rohingya women line up to receive aid at the Balukhali food distribution centre near Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. EPA

However, younger participants showed more interest in migrating to a third country such as the United States, Malaysia, or Saudi Arabia, while some wished to remain in Kutupalong camps due to family connections and access to basic services. None of the respondents considered Bhashan Char as an option, citing its isolation and lack of opportunities.

The research highlighted sexual harassment as the “biggest concern” for women in camps, alongside common practices of child marriage and polygamy. Only 7% of women reported being able to access legal aid independently, while nearly half (48%) recommended counselling programmes for men and boys to address gender-based violence.

Speakers at the event stressed that the findings represent the lived realities of Rohingya women and girls rather than just statistics. They urged immediate steps to ensure gender-sensitive protection, reduce the influence of armed groups inside camps, improve lighting and sanitation facilities, and deploy more female security personnel.

Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said: “These women have been here for nearly eight years. Violence has not decreased; its forms have only changed. Our role is to amplify their voices so that they can speak for themselves.”

Experts noted that while humanitarian assistance is vital, repatriation to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution. Without safe return, generations of Rohingya risk being trapped in prolonged uncertainty, deprived of citizenship rights and opportunities for education, livelihood, and dignity in their homeland.

The study was conducted with support from ActionAid UK and People’s Postcode Lottery, in partnership with AGRAJATTRA, involving 96 participants including 66 Rohingya women and girls from camps and 30 local women from Ukhiya.

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