Rohingya Women in Malaysia: Decision-Making and Information Sharing in the Course of Irregular Migration

50 Pages Posted: 1 Dec 2017

See all articles by Claudia Tazreiter

Claudia Tazreiter

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice; University of Oxford - Border Criminologies

Sharon Pickering

University of Oxford - Border Criminologies; Monash University - Faculty of Arts

Rebecca Powell

Monash University

Date Written: October 2017

Abstract

This paper presents major findings of a project focused on the experiences of Rohingya women in Malaysia, categorised as ‘irregular migrants’. Malaysia has become a key destination and country of transit for many Rohingya fleeing Myanmar. The paper presents and analyses the influences on decision-making; the role of family; information sources used and their trustworthiness and gendered violence. The fieldwork was conducted in late 2015, including 350 surveys and 35 in-depth interviews. The research findings reveal a range of factors that affect the lives of Rohingya women and their families before and during journeys, as well as in Malaysia. These factors affect planning for the future and decision for onward migration. The paper discusses the details of decision-making and information sharing during migration journeys and provides analysis of women’s choices and the factors that condition decision-making. Given that onward journeys are often difficult or impossible, the conditions irregular migrants face during periods of transit are also a key focus of the paper.

Keywords: Asylum seekers, refugees, Rohingya, Malaysia, irregular migration, decision-making, gendered violence

Suggested Citation

Tazreiter, Claudia and Pickering, Sharon and Powell, Rebecca, Rohingya Women in Malaysia: Decision-Making and Information Sharing in the Course of Irregular Migration (October 2017). Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Research Paper No. RSCAS 2017/55, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3079644 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3079644

Claudia Tazreiter (Contact Author)

University of New South Wales (UNSW) - UNSW Law & Justice ( email )

Kensington, New South Wales 2052
Australia

University of Oxford - Border Criminologies ( email )

Manor Road Building
Manor Rd
Oxford, OX1 3UQ
United Kingdom

Sharon Pickering

University of Oxford - Border Criminologies ( email )

Manor Road Building
Manor Rd
Oxford, OX1 3UQ
United Kingdom

Monash University - Faculty of Arts ( email )

Clayton Victoria, 3800
Australia

Rebecca Powell

Monash University ( email )

23 Innovation Walk
Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3800
Australia

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