Rohingya women beaten and abandoned

Rohingya women who fled their homes in Myanmar are now being beaten and abandoned by their husbands, while young girls are facing increased pressure to marry, aid workers said.

Polygamy, violence against women and forced early marriages are a “growing critical problem” in the cramped refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, southern Bangladesh, Actionaid is warning. Almost 700,000 Rohingya refugees have fled neighbouring Myanmar since last August amid reports of extreme violence, forming a total of more than 900,000 displaced people in the numerous sprawling camps.

Many are already traumatised, and now face the potentially catastrophic disruption of the looming monsoon season, which charities fear will increase their vulnerability.

Rahima, who has four children under the age of 11, including a baby, said her violent husband had abused her in Myanmar and continued to do so after they fled.