To commemorate World Refugee Day [UN website] on Wednesday the charity Plan International [advocacy website] released a 44-page report [text] detailing the adversity and hardship that adolescent Rohingya girls experience in refugee camps in the Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

While the majority of adolescent girls report feeling safer in the refugee camps than in Myanmar, there remains a substantial fear of violence in the camps along with limited access to education and clean water. Another major concern has been the stifling camp conditions and the restriction of freedom of movement, as many girls have said they “never or rarely leave their shelter.”

“Shelters are described as sweltering, which is particularly difficult for adolescent girls who are often not allowed to leave them. Camps and shelters are also overcrowded. This increases health and security risks, inhibits the ability of humanitarian actors to effectively and efficiently provide services and protection and increases the pressure on girls.”

Among the recommendations of the report, the experts said adolescent girls should participate in all camp decisions that affect their lives and the camps should take all necessary measures to prevent all gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse.