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Refugee and Asylum Seeker Women’s Experiences with Healthcare and Social Environment in Malaysia

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  • Surendran Rajaratnam

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Azlinda Azman

    (School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia)

Abstract

The internal conflict in Rakhine State, Myanmar over the last few decades has forced Rohingyas to flee to other countries, including Malaysia. However, the non-recognition of the status of refugees in Malaysia keeps Rohingyas as “people without documents” and without adequate protection, access to healthcare services, education, and employment. Women among these groups face different challenges and are at risk of numerous physical and mental health issues. Thus, this research attempted to understand the experiences of Rohingya women in Malaysia, particularly in accessing public hospitals. Focus group discussions and key-informant interview techniques were used to collect data. The transcripts were then analysed using the thematic analysis method. The research found that Rohingya women experience numerous challenges despite being on safer ground in Malaysia. Their experiences of marriage and domestic violence, access to public hospitals, financial barriers to healthcare services, and the services provided by medical social workers in the country to refugees and asylum seekers are presented. Non-recognition of the status of refugees in the country is one of the primary barriers to the allocation and provision of resources for refugees and asylum seekers. Due to structural barriers, medical social workers are unable to provide their services to this population. This article provides recommendations for social workers in Malaysia on how to overcome these challenges and work more effectively with refugees and asylum seekers.

Suggested Citation

  • Surendran Rajaratnam & Azlinda Azman, 2022. "Refugee and Asylum Seeker Women’s Experiences with Healthcare and Social Environment in Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6542-:d:825730
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alison McIntosh & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten, 2019. "Refugee-focused service providers: improving the welcome in New Zealand," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(9-10), pages 701-716, July.
    2. Fiona Leh Hoon Chuah & Sok Teng Tan & Jason Yeo & Helena Legido-Quigley, 2019. "Health System Responses to the Health Needs of Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Silvia Guglielmi & Khadija Mitu & Jennifer Seager, 2021. "‘I Just Keep Quiet’: Addressing the Challenges of Married Rohingya Girls and Creating Opportunities for Change," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(5), pages 1232-1251, October.
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