Figure 7. What did you do to protect yourself?
Mental health concerns (feelings of anxiety and depression, 93%) and a fear of leaving
the house and moving around freely (77%) are two primary effects of risk exposure in
Malaysia. As mentioned previously, Rohingya women are already marginalized by
Travel in a group
58%
political, social, and cultural norms. The additional risks in Malaysia further restrict their
Plan my journey
carefully
opportunities to create independent livelihoods.
While 70% of the respondents report having no debt related to their journey when arriving
48%
Keep in
regular contact
with family
in Malaysia, 57% say there have accumulated new debts in Malaysia, mostly relating to
living expenses (53%), medical costs (42%), immigration-related fees (7%) and school
35%
Stop in places
with trusted
contacts
fees (7%), and in a context where almost all are not making any money. Among the very
few women who report any income (15 respondents), most worked in the domestic sector.
17%
Avoid carrying
cash
Protection responses to women and children
16%
14%
Hire smugglers
The majority of Rohingya women surveyed (81%) did not receive assistance during their
journey to Malaysia. Among those who received assistance (n=89) - mostly food and
Avoid
big cities
water - half were assisted by smugglers, while 22% were assisted by fellow refugees and
migrants. Assistance from the UN, NGOs, the local population, and the government was
13%
Looking for
information and
follow…
reportedly minimal.
11%
10%
Hide valuables
The survey also asked women about self-protection measures during their journeys to
Malaysia. The most common included traveling in a group (58%), planning the journey
Use safer method
of transport
carefully (48%), and keeping regular contact with family (35%).
6%
Rohingya women (n=483)
Multi-select
1%
Carry cash
6%
Nothing
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
81% of the surveyed Rohingya women say they are currently in need of assistance in
Malaysia. Legal aid is the most significant need among those who said they needed
assistance (n=392; 76%), followed by medical assistance (63%), cash (57%), and other
basic needs.
6