Defying Genocide: Documenting Narratives and Life History of Rohingya Women in Jammu

Abstract

Rohingya is a Muslim minority primarily located in the northern Rakhine (Arakan) state of Myanmar; they are considered outsiders and a potential threat to the Military Junta. They have been stripped of their citizenship and fundamental rights by a series of legislations, including the 1982 Citizenship Act. The present conflict and genocide-like situation in the Rakhine state of Myanmar has led to targeted violence against Rohingya women and forced them to either leave or face brutality. Earlier studies and international agencies have documented many instances of sexual and gendered-based violence for pushing genocide in Rakhine (Myanmar). The Rohingya women have faced the brunt of ethnic cleansing and struggle to build their lives in slum-like settlements located in the Jammu district. This study attempts to understand the nuances of Rohingya migration in Jammu (Northern India) from the perspective of women by tracing their life histories. The phenomenological approach has guided the whole study, and an attempt has been made to document the lived experiences of these respondents. The data was collected using qualitative research methodology, and methods such as life history, interviews, observation, and focus group discussion were used during fieldwork.