Help Rohingya Refugees Become New Moms Safely

During 2022 and 2023, UNFPA Cox Bazar embarked on a transformative journey that focussed on the well-being and development of adolescents and youth within Rohingya refugee camps. This journey centered around the establishment of eight Adolescent and Youth Centers, aiming to catalyze positive change within the community. The Adolescent and Youth programs has reached over 16,215 individuals since 2022, encompassing adolescent boys, girls, their caregivers, and stakeholders. 

These youth centers have a clear goal: unleashing the potential of Rohingya adolescents and youth living in the camps. They focus on knowledge transfer about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender-Based Violence, and Menstrual Health Management, so young people can thrive and make informed decisions. 

Program Spotlights: Girl Shine and Champions of Change

One special program run in these centers is "Girl Shine", which is a training program designed to empower and protect adolescent girls. By teaching them and their caregivers about sexual health and reproductive rights, this program helps young girls both from Rohingya and Host communities feel stronger and more confident.

For $360, you can fund a safe space for women and girls who have survived violence for one day. 

Another program, "Champions of Change", is for boys, young men, and caregivers. This program aims to instill positive social norms, teaching them to have good habits and respect for girls and women, fostering a culture of equality and understanding. 

The success of these centers relies on a holistic approach, extending beyond life skills. These programs also teach community engagement, sports for development, theater for development, and provide mental health and psychosocial support counseling as well. 

These spaces were initiated from the expressed needs of the Rohingya youth themselves. They desired a place that belonged to them, where they could feel heard, safe, and learn. Our intention with these programs was to provide them with opportunities to grow and be involved directly in decision-making. 

A 13-year-old teenage girl, Jahura, from the Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar, stated:

"Youth Center is the place where I find my dream and happiness."

Talking About Menstruation: Breaking Taboos

Within the facilities, a special emphasis is placed on breaking down menstrual health taboos as well as open discussion on menstruation and hygiene management.

Girls receive Menstrual Health Management Kits, are informed about how to safely manage their periods, and are taught to make reusable pads to help them manage their periods better.

For just $25, you can provide a woman or girl with hygiene essentials for six months, enabling her to maintain her dignity in disaster or emergency situations.

In essence, UNFPA's Youth Centers in Rohingya refugee camps go beyond being physical structures. They are catalysts for change, and created to empower teenagers, children, and young adults to become agents of positive transformation in their community. 

Through education, support, and engagement, these centers lay the foundation for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Khaleda and her husband have called the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar home for years, having fled Myanmar to seek safety and a better future. At 30 years old, Khaleda is a mother of four – three sons and one daughter.

Life in the refugee camp has not been easy, but Khaleda found support and guidance from the dedicated community health workers who regularly visited her home in the Rohingya camp. These visits, along with informative courtyard sessions held in her community, taught Khaleda valuable information about maternal healthcare and family planning.

It was through one of these interactions that Khaleda learned about the benefits of delivering her last child, Runa, in a healthcare facility rather than at home. This experience instilled in her a sense of trust and confidence in midwives and the healthcare services available to her.

For $100, you can fund a midwife's work for a week so she can help women like Khaleda to safely deliver their babies.

In addition to maternal health, the community health workers introduced Khaleda to various family planning options. This information was transformative. Understanding the importance of managing the size of her family for their overall well-being, Khaleda made an informed decision to opt for an implant, a method of contraception that would prevent pregnancy for four years.

“Too many children means too much responsibility,” Khaleda shared with us afterwawrd. "The implant has brought me peace, allowing me to care for my existing children without the added stress of an unplanned pregnancy." She added, feeling empowered and in control of her reproductive health.

One of the health workers in the camp, Amina, has been a consistent source of support for Khaleda. “I remember when Amina first visited me,” Khaleda recalls. “I was overwhelmed with my responsibilities, and the idea of more children was frightening. Amina patiently explained to me the various family planning methods."

Amina's dedication goes beyond just providing information. She often sits with Khaleda and other women in the camp, discussing not just health, but also the cultural beliefs that sometimes conflict with modern family planning methods.

“In our community, there is a strong belief that children are a blessing from Allah and that it's not our place to prevent births,” Amina explains. “But we also have to consider the health and future of the children we already have.” 

$150 provides supplies, medications and equipment to health clinics so women can have access to famly planning resources and also receive care for obstetric emergencies. 

Khaleda’s journey was not without its challenges. Convincing her husband and her family initially about the implant was difficult. But Khaleda is glad she persisted and got the implant. Overall, her experience with the implant has been positive, and she plans to continue using this method after the current one reaches the end of its lifespan.

Her story teaches us that even in the most trying circumstances, empowerment is just a choice away. Her courageous journey reminds us that family planning is more than a healthcare issue; it’s a woman’s path to reclaiming control of her life. It highlights the importance of community health initiatives and the profound difference they can make in the lives of individuals.

Through continuous awareness sessions and access to essential health services, UNFPA empowers women like Khaleda to make informed choices about their reproductive health, ensuring better futures for their families living in the Rohingya refugee camps. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of this vital work. For just $45, you can further support women and girls in Rohingya by providing essential hygiene and menstrual supplies.