Only 21% of Rohingya girls between the ages 12-18 years in the Rohingya camps of Cox’s Bazar continue their education, according to the Joint Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA) report 2022-2023.
A dialogue session organized by Plan International Bangladesh on Monday discussed the findings of the report and emphasized the importance of education for women's empowerment, highlighting societal barriers that hinder girls from obtaining education in higher classes.
Around two-thirds of Rohingya girls aged 5-11 living in refugee camps in Bangladesh drop out from educational activities when they enter the next level of education.
In Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar, 90% of Rohingya girls aged 5-11 have access to education. The dropout rate among girls in the host community in the same age groups and areas is 19%.
The ongoing Rohingya crisis in Cox's Bazar has left Rohingya and host community women and girls vulnerable to challenges such as gender-based violence, limited access to education and livelihood opportunities, child marriage, and exclusion from leadership roles.
Speakers at the event underscored the urgent need for gender-responsive financing and initiatives involving men as allies in promoting gender equality.
Md Mahfuzul Islam, superintendent of police in Cox’s Bazar, emphasized addressing social malpractices like early marriage and denying women and girls access to education.
He also called for generating more employment opportunities for women's empowerment.
