Why is the use of contraception so low among the Rohingya displaced population in Bangladesh?

Islam, M. Mufakharul; Hossain, Mohammad Bellal; Yunus, Yeasir

doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100246

Cited by 4 publications

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References 5 publications

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“…However, the pronatalist notions backed by the religion are further strengthened by the unique political reality of the Rohingya ethnic minority. The long history of persecution, domination, and oppression over the Rohingya [32,33] further rationalized, strengthened, and promoted the high fertility behavior, with religio-political motivations to 'expand the Rohingya community' or 'to increase Muslim soldiers' [34]. Such religio-political pronatalist ideologies had been commonly singled out to account for the persistently high fertility levels among Palestinians [28], "hyper-fertile" Muslims in Ladakh, India [35], Jewish women in Israel [36], and Christian pronatalism in the USA [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding fertility behavior of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

Hossain

2023

PLoS ONE

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Introduction Rohingya- the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN)- are largely characterized by a high total fertility rate (TFR) and a low contraceptive prevalence rate. This study aimed to explore the reasons behind their high fertility behavior by utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior. Data and method We adopted a cross-sectional qualitative research approach. Fifteen semi-structured, face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with the Rohingya husbands, wives, and community leaders (Majhi and Imam/Khatib) living in Camps 1 and 2 of Ukhiya Refugee Camp, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. We analyzed the qualitative data using the thematic analysis approach. Results The Muslim-majority FDMN predominantly constructed the fertility outcome as the will and order of Allah. On the one hand, the Rohingya parents highlighted various religious, political, economic, and social advantages of having more children, especially sons. On the other hand, beliefs about religious restriction, fear of side effects, and community pressure against contraception sustained the reality of the low contraceptive prevalence rate in the community. Alarmingly, the Rohingya religious leaders and mass people were found highly politically motivated to continue the practice of high fertility with a view to ’expanding the Rohingya community’ or ’to increase Muslim soldiers’, so that they may fight back and take control of their ancestors’ place in Myanmar in the future. Furthermore, these pronatalist attitudes and beliefs translated into high TFR through various high-fertility-supportive social norms and practices widely prevalent in the Rohingya community. These include child marriage, gendered division of labor, women’s subordinate nature, the Purdah system, and joint-family members’ support during childbirth and rearing. Conclusion Religion, ethnic identity, and the unique political context and experiences of the Rohingya people jointly explain their high fertility behavior. This study warrants the urgency of initiating social and behavior change communication programs to change the religiopolitically-motivated high-fertility notions that prevailed in the Rohingya community.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding fertility behavior of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

Hossain

2023

PLoS ONE

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Gendered and Racialised Vulnerabilities and Violence Against the Rohingya in Myanmar

Salehin

2024

Gendered Vulnerabilities and Violence in Forced Migration

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This chapter presents gender differentiated forms of direct, structural, cultural and symbolic violence experienced by the Rohingya while they were in Myanmar. The documented atrocities, committed mainly by the Myanmar military, have placed the Rohingya in a state of ongoing discrimination and oppression. Within Myanmar, Rohingya women face a dual burden: enduring physical violence and mental anguish from military and societal forces, compounded by the patriarchal structure within their own community. Structural violence, such as educational discrimination, pervasive poverty, and lack of access to social and community life have affected Rohingya women, men, and children differently. A gendered narrative of threat portrays Rohingya women as ugly and reproductive dangers to Buddhism, while Rohingya men are framed as threats to nationalism and Buddhism. These religious and cultural narratives have served to justify ‘othering’ and various forms of violence by the Myanmar military.

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Sexual and Reproductive Health Conditions of Women: Insights from Rohingya Refugee Women in Bangladesh

2022

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Why is the use of contraception so low among the Rohingya displaced population in Bangladesh?

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Understanding fertility behavior of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

Understanding fertility behavior of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

Gendered and Racialised Vulnerabilities and Violence Against the Rohingya in Myanmar

Sexual and Reproductive Health Conditions of Women: Insights from Rohingya Refugee Women in Bangladesh

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