Help the Rohingya Help Themselves

Picture: Pradeep Gaur/SOPA Images/Sipa USA

In an article by The New Humanitarian, John Jonaid examines the impact of Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and the ensuing refugee crisis.

A major reason why the Rohingya remain the most vulnerable is that they are often seen through this narrow lens: as an undeveloped community lacking skills and education. This limited view stifles their opportunities to rebuild and strengthen their own community.

The majority of Rohingya face severe educational barriers, leading to widespread illiteracy. In Bangladesh, Rohingya children are part of a “lost generation”, as they are not allowed to attend local schools. Their only option is informal education through refugee learning centres, which are under-resourced and lack official recognition. 

Many women attempt to flee to Malaysia seeking safety, but the journey across the Andaman Sea risks death and, upon arrival, they are often exploited by human traffickers. In Indonesia, where some Rohingya boats have landed, women have faced sexual abuse from both traffickers and security forces. 

Beyond physical violence, Rohingya women are also constrained by cultural barriers that limit their access to independence, higher education, and employment, leaving most illiterate and without the ability to advocate for their own rights.