For ALL Women and Girls: ‘Work with us, not just for us’, urges Rohingya activist

Interview

17 June 2025

Who are the Rohingya people and what caused the refugee crisis?

The Rohingya are an ethnic group who have lived in the area now known as Myanmar for centuries, largely in Rakhine State. But since 1982, the majority Buddhist country has denied citizenship to the majority Muslim ethnic group, rendering them stateless. In 2017, a violent military offensive in Rakhine forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee across the border to Bangladesh. The Rohingya genocide continues with surging conflict and persecution in Myanmar.

In the overcrowded camps, where refugees live in makeshift shelters of bamboo and tarpaulin, Karim remained determined to continue her education. "I paid for private tutoring in English and mathematics by working for humanitarian organizations", she shared. As an interpreter and gender advocate, she bridged communication between Rohingya refugees, aid workers, and journalists.

Her dedication opened doors: in 2019, Karim became one of the first girls from her camp to attend the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. She later went door-to-door encouraging families to send their daughters to school.

Since resettling in the United States in December 2022, Karim has continued her education online and is preparing to enroll in a US-based university.

The UN Women multi-purpose women's centre is seen in Balukhali camp March 2018 in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo: UN Women/Allison Joyce.

Rohingya women leading change in refugee camps

How many Rohingya refugees are in Bangladesh and what is their current situation?

More than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees - 75 per cent of them women and children - live in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Most are settled in the Kutupalong and Nayapara refugee camps, so that Rohingya now make up one-third of the population in Cox's Bazar. These are some of the largest and most densely populated camps in the world where there are little to no educational opportunities or livelihoods, and difficult rainy seasons and fires worsen living conditions. Some have been relocated to the island of Bhasan Char to ease crowding, but resources remain strained.

In a context where restrictive norms often confine women and girls to their homes, grassroots, women-led initiatives like RWPJ are critical. However, Karim's leadership made her a target of threats from organized groups within the camps.

"I was no longer safe, but I didn't want to stop my work", she said.

Facilitated by UNHCR, she and her family were safely resettled in the United States. Yet, her commitment to her community remains unwavering. In March 2025, Karim became the first resettled Rohingya refugee to return to the camps in Bangladesh, helping build a network of emerging female leaders to drive change from within.

Inside the UN Women multi-purpose women's centre in refugee camp number 4, UN Women in partnership with Oxfam in Bangladesh, ActionAid Bangladesh, Legal Action Worldwide and RW Welfare Society-RWWS and the UN Resident Coordinator organized a gathering of Rohingya women leaders from new and old camps representing their different women leader networks. Lucky Karim, pictured centre left with glasses giving the peace sign. Photo: UN Women/Allison Joyce.

What Rohingya refugees need: Better education, security, and representation

What are the specific risks for Rohingya girls and women?

Rohingya women and girls faced widespread and systematic sexual and gender-based violence in 2017 in Myanmar - and meet new risks as refugees. While they make up more than half of the population in Bangladeshi refugee camps, conservative gender norms and the lack of opportunities put them at risk of exploitation, sexual abuse, forced marriages, and human trafficking. Many women report feeling unsafe, and domestic violence trends higher in congested conditions. But Rohingya women also play critical roles in their own recovery, advocating for their rights and their families.

"People see refugee women and girls as helpless, but I am proof that we are strong", Karim says. Her message to policymakers and organizations: "Work with refugees, not just for refugees. Give us a chance and see who we can be. We are strong and capable-we just need you to open the door."

Lucky leads a planning session on joint action to address challenges, issues, and demands on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls during the Rohingya women leaders meeting at the UN Women multi-purpose women's centre. Photo: UN Women/Allison Joyce.

The Beijing Declaration and refugee women's leadership

During her return visit to the camps at Cox's Bazar, kids greet and gather around Lucky Karim. Photo: Refugees International.

UN Women's support for Rohingya women and girls

This story was originally published on 19 May 2025 and has been updated with new information.