Attachments
Background
This Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) is based on a survey conducted by CARE from April to June 2023 among the Rohingya community in Bhasan Char, Bangladesh.
The Rohingya community’s exodus to Bangladesh began in the 1970s. However, the most recent mass
influx into Bangladesh occurred between 2017 and 2019 in response to the extreme violence inflicted
upon them by Myanmar authorities. The actions of Myanmar Army were deemed by the United Nations
as genocide, “scorched earth campaign”, and “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.”
Almost a million displaced Rohingya people were given shelter by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB)
and reside in the camps in the Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh. As an attempt to “decongest and de-risk the camps”, the government has provided habitations for the displaced Rohingya community on the
island of Bhasan Char, off the coast of Bangladesh.
Purpose
There has been no analysis of the relocated Rohingya community living on Bhasan Char specifically
focusing on their changing gender dynamics. This RGA highlights the urgent need to understand and
address unique challenges faced by women, men, children, and gender diverse individuals within this
displaced population. It is designed to assist humanitarian and development partners to develop
strategies and project ideas that will serve the diverse needs of the relocated Rohingya women, men,
boys, girls, and gender diverse people, taking into consideration of local gender dynamics, the promotion
of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Specific objectives
The RGA aims to:
1. elaborate gender norms, roles, and relationships significantly affecting the wellbeing of relocated
Rohingya people in all their diversity, in accordance with core Areas of Inquiry (AoI) developed by
Care International
2. document observed changes in gender dynamics paying close attention to their lived experiences
of relocation to Bhasan Char
3. provide analyses of the potential impact of ration cuts in Bhasan Char in terms of coping
mechanisms that are likely to affect the livelihood in the island
4. provide sector-wise recommendations, taking into account the differential needs, capacities and
coping strategies of women, men, girls and boys in Bhasan Char.
Scope and area of focus
The RGA investigates three specific areas of focus: gender and governance, livelihood, and gender-based
violence (GBV) and protection concerns, to better capture the newly forming Rohingya community in
Bhasan Char and their gender dynamics. For each element, close attention was paid to how gender norms, roles, and relations inform and shape the Rohingya people’s perceptions, behavior, and aspirations.
Methodology
The study design and framework include quantitative and qualitative methods based on survey questions, key information interviews, and focus group discussions. There were 335 survey respondents (59% female, 41% male, all adults), and 20 participants in the interviews.