Mainstreaming gender in humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar

People attend an event in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on 10 December 2019 to mark Human Rights Day as well as the close of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign. Photo: UN Women/Mahmudul Karim

Women and girls make up more than half of the Rohingya refugee population in camps in Cox’s Bazar and face high risks of abuse, exploitation and violence.

UN Women started the Gender Hub in March 2019 to strengthen the accountability of humanitarian groups for gender equality and empowerment of women and girls among the Rohingya refugees and the communities surrounding the camps. The Gender Hub provides technical assistance to humanitarian groups on integrating gender equality and women's empowerment in their strategies and plans; facilitates training on gender; and shares knowledge and good practices on gender-responsive humanitarian actions.

The Gender Hub works with the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group, which helps integrate gender concerns into humanitarian actions. The working group is co-chaired by UN Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Gender Hub’s work aligns with the Inter-agency Standing Committee Policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Humanitarian Action, endorsed in December 2017.