Rohingya Women in Kashmir Face Worsening Reproductive Health Crisis

Rohingya Women in Kashmir Face Worsening Reproductive Health Crisis
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Rohingya refugee women living in camps in Jammu and Kashmir are facing a growing reproductive health crisis, exacerbated by poverty, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to menstrual hygiene products.

Women in the Kargil Colony settlement in Jammu’s Narwal area report widespread gynecological issues, untreated infections, and repeated surgeries linked to poor menstrual hygiene and a lack of medical care.

According to testimonies from women in the community, many have undergone surgeries for reproductive health conditions after enduring months of untreated illnesses. Refugee women also face limited access to healthcare, with many unable to afford transportation to hospitals or necessary medications.

In the absence of formal healthcare outreach or education programs, awareness about menstrual hygiene is slowly increasing among younger women, although the community still faces significant health challenges. Many women in the camp rely on occasional distribution drives by non-governmental organizations for sanitary products, as the cost of basic survival needs like food and shelter takes priority over healthcare.

The issue of inadequate menstrual hygiene is not limited to the Rohingya refugees but also affects other marginalized communities in the Jammu region, where poverty, cultural taboos, and poor healthcare access continue to impact women’s reproductive health. Rights advocates warn that these communities face severe barriers to reproductive healthcare, particularly in informal settlements lacking essential sanitation infrastructure.