Upholding women and girls’ dignity: Special Kit distributed among the Rohingya

Sohanur Rahman: Almost half a million people flee across the border into neighboring Bangladesh after the ethnic conflict in Burma sparked the most rapid human exodus since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. UNFPA says, 67 percents are women and girls in hole Rohingya refugees. While shelter, food, and water are first priorities, the critical and specific needs of women and girls are often overlooked. But Menstrual Hygiene Management is very important for every woman and adolescent. Millions of Rohingya refugee girls and women need the most basic supplies and services to ensure their health, dignity, and rights. Because dignity is the only thing left when all else is lost.

ActionAid Bangladesh distributing Dignity Kit to Rohingya Women and Girl to ensure unmet need for them.

Considering their (Women and adolescent Girl) healthy and dignity-full life, ActionAid Bangladesh has distributed 1000 dignity kits today at Moinnarghona Refugee Camp in Ukhya, Coxbazar to ensure the safe reproductive health, this kit containing basic health and hygiene products for displaced Rohingya women and girls with joint effort by Mercy Relief and local partner Young Power in Social Action (YPSA). An important part of upholding this right, the distribution of dignity kits, which include essential supplies to help women Rohingya refugees to maintain their basic hygiene when they are displaced by the crisis. The ‘dignity kit’ contains women’s personal care items such as the reusable sanitary napkin, maxi, panty, sandal, torchlight, soaps, bucket and other clothes. It will ensure the safe reproductive health, these dignity items are so important for the women in the camp.

Due to unfavorable environment and existence of some belief and taboos, women and girl feel shy to talk about Menstruation and it’s management. Moreover, As a refugee and their financial worse condition, women, and girl have not easy access to dignity materials. In and of themselves, sanitary pads are not life-saving items, but they do play a crucial role in preserving a woman’s health and dignity and keeping her from harm, especially for those living in humanitarian crisis settings. They also needed training session about the importance of this Kit.

According to Abdul Alim, Manager- Humanitarian Response, ActionAid Bangladesh have committed to address that unmet needs of women and girls by running Women friendly space and distributing Dignity Kit, which will be continued!

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