Desk Report: Rahela Khatun, 31, lives at a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. She visits regularly a health centre run by a non-government organization (NGO). She was informed in the centre about different birth control systems. A mother of seven, Rahela was earlier in dark about those practices. Now, she is taking birth control injection – one dose after every three months.
Rahela said, “I was totally unaware of the system. My husband doesn’t like any birth control system, especially oral pills. I’m coming here secretly. If he knows about this, he may beat me up.
My husband thinks that taking birth control system is a sin as per the religion.” Another woman, Rizia Khatun, 27, of the same camp has four children. She, too, comes to the centre to take the birth control injection.
Rizia said, “My husband used to come here in the beginning. But later, he was not interested to take the system. He also asked me not to take the birth control injection as he thinks that it is not right.
I have been visiting the centre secretly for the last six months.” Like, Rahela and Rizia, many Rohingya women are taking the birth control injections regularly.
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