Rohingya refugee women's narratives on the experiences of persecution: feminist critiques of the UN Human Rights Council

This study examines how the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) represents Rohingya refugee women's experiences through a feminist lens and analyzes how Rohingya women articulate their own experiences of persecution. By foregrounding their voices, it addresses a critical gap in refugee discourse, which often marginalizes women's perspectives in favour of generalized narratives. Utilizing Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis, the study critically engages with the discursive practices of the UNHRC to disclose its failures in adequately reflecting the experiences of refugee women. The analysis highlights how dominant UNHRC narratives can reinforce gendered power imbalances. At the core of it are two personal narratives from Rohingya women, offering detailed accounts of survival, adaptation, and resistance within oppressive structures. These stories show that Rohingya women's lives are shaped not only by trauma but also by resilience and agency. They challenge passive portrayals of refugee women by highlighting how they assert their dignity and navigate identity and survival under extreme conditions. Ultimately, the study offers a more inclusive understanding of refugee crises, underscores the importance of centreing women's voices in the fight for human rights and justice, and amplifies marginalized representation of Rohingya women and advocates for a more inclusive and equitable refugee discourse.