Rights in the response: Exploring human rights implementation strategies to ensure accountability for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

Multi-dimensional humanitarian situations and protracted crises are increasing and disproportionately affecting women, girls, and people of diverse identities. In Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees continue to face intersectional discrimination and protection risks that violate their sexual and reproductive rights, and their need for integrated health services remains critical. This article presents a combined analysis from a multi-disciplinary project to demonstrate how human rights standards and strategies can reinforce humanitarian accountability frameworks and support an effective response. First, we set out to select law, policy, and humanitarian practice frameworks relevant to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of Rohingya refugees and that shape the humanitarian response. Next, the methodology used to map the contextualised accountability ecosystem and to establish a baseline for integrated monitoring is presented. Third, core components of the initiative and promising strategies from the early phases of implementation are explored. We focus specifically on evidence suggesting the need for more innovative approaches to promote accountability for SRHR issues and marginalised communities, as well as the strategies to ensure access to equitable SRH services. Finally, we conclude with recommendations to promote and strengthen rights-based approaches that may be cross-cutting with humanitarian accountability efforts elsewhere. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) 2024.