Between tradition and change: Impact of displacement on gender norm perceptions among Rohingya refugees in Nepal

The Rohingya crisis has disrupted lives and changed gender norms among female refugees in Nepal. In contrast to the encampment strategy adopted by Bangladesh, Nepal's open integration policy has allowed for better assimilation of Rohingyas into local communities, offering them informal work opportunities. The interaction with Nepal's unique social and religious landscape has transformed the refugees' attitudes toward gender. This study explores how these attitudes align with other displacement-related factors, including migration routes and access to various NGO support among 152 Rohingya refugees residing in Kapan, Nepal. Results indicate a trend toward gender norm progression, with marked support for improvement in women's economic roles. However, progress has not extended to education and financial autonomy, where traditional views still hold sway. While displacement-induced economic urgencies have prompted a functional acceptance of women's labor, entrenched cultural norms continue to govern their role in education and decision-making, suggesting that such acceptance is perhaps a situational adaptation more than a fundamental change.