- Md. Ariful Islam
- Department of Nutrition and Food Engineering, Daffodil International University, Bangladesh.
Focusing on the Cox’s Bazar region, the present study aims to explore gender disparities in the consumption of staple foods among Rohingya refugees currently living in camps in Bangladesh. Although there has been considerable humanitarian support, inequities in the distribution and consumption of food in refugee households persist, often to the disadvantage of women and girls. Drawing on a mixed-methods research design that involves focus groups, household surveys and interviews with refugees and aid workers, the study shows that women often consume less diverse foods and fewer calories than men. This is largely due to impact of conventional gender roles, social norms, inequitable allocations in the household and low participation of women in the food distribution system. These disparities further highlight the importance of more equitable, gender-sensitive food security policies, and have important health implications for women, particularly for pregnant and nursing mothers. The report concludes with recommendations to improve food justice and to dismantle systemic and societial barriers that prevent displaced populations from accessing healthy and nutritious food.