Invisible Wounds: Krystal So's Fight Against Sexual Violence in Cox's Bazar

In the sprawling refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where nearly 1.1 million Rohingya live in limbo, Hong Kong nurse and midwife Krystal So confronts a crisis that festers in silence: sexual violence. As a humanitarian worker with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Krystal navigates the chaos of the world's largest refugee camp, providing medical care and hope to survivors of abuse. Krystal's mission underscores the urgent need to amplify the voices of Rohingya women, whose suffering remains largely unseen.

From Hong Kong to Humanitarian Hero

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Krystal So began her humanitarian journey long before her first MSF mission in 2022. "I trained in Hong Kong as a registered nurse and a midwife," she says. Her path was shaped by an early awareness of gender inequality, sparked by reading Half the Sky in secondary school. The book, which explores the struggles of women in developing nations, left a lasting impression. "It impressed me a lot," she recalls. This conviction drove her to study gender issues as a minor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, alongside her nursing degree, and later to specialize as a midwife, bridging her medical expertise with her passion for gender equity.

Her upbringing in Hong Kong, a city of blended Eastern and Western influences, shaped her perspective on gender equality. "There are still glass ceilings," she notes, acknowledging persistent workplace and societal barriers. Yet, she sees progress: "Overall, we are educated as females…we have the opportunity to get into higher positions." This duality fuels her strength. "People always say that Hong Kong girls are very independent, very strong and tough—and this is true," she notes, a trait empowers her to advocate for women worldwide.

The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: A Harsh Reality

Krystal's first mission to Cox's Bazar in 2022, as a midwife manager, opened her eyes to the Rohingya's plight. Spanning 23.6 square kilometers, Cox's Bazar houses nearly 1.1 million Rohingya with no citizenship or rights. "They have no identity, they have no one… they are already very vulnerable," Krystal says. Women and children, nearly 80% of the population, are especially at risk, as the lack of security and patriarchal traditions amplify their exposure to sexual violence and human trafficking. Krystal returned in February 2025 to pits to establish an MSF sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) department, tackling this pervasive issue head-on.

Daily life in the camps is grueling. Krystal's daily routine involves hospital meetings, emergency obstetrics, and community outreach. Her team manages 50–60 SGBV cases every month, offering medical care, mental health support, and confidential pathways to shelters or legal aid. She conducts henna workshops and sex education sessions to teach women and children about safe touch and how to seek help confidentially. "We try to do activities, to have more education," she says, emphasizing efforts to challenge the belief that abuse is a woman's "duty." These sessions, often disguised as social gatherings, deliver key messages about gender respect and safety.

Confronting Sexual Violence in Refugee Camps

Sexual violence in Cox's Bazar is "invisible" yet deadly, often normalized by cultural beliefs. "Many women were forced into marriages or trafficked…they are just property," Krystal explains. She shares a haunting case: "We had a 14-year-old teenager…she was [assaulted] by more than five men. I felt so much anger, because no one deserves to be treated like this." Domestic violence is rampant, with women suffering miscarriages or severe injuries from beatings. This brutality, compounded by cultural norms, leaves survivors trapped. In one instance, a woman needed medical treatment after losing a lot of blood, but her family refused treatment. Tragically, some victims face retaliation for seeking help, including murder by abusers. Such attitudes normalize violence, making it "hidden in plain sight."

Building Trust Amid Crisis

Building trust in this environment is a slow, deliberate process. "To build trust with them, we need a lot of effort," Krystal says. She assesses local customs, trains staff on sensitivity and ensures confidential pathways for survivors. Despite successes, risks persist, as seen in cases where survivors were killed for seeking help. Krystal recalls a tragic case where a woman seeking help was killed by her abuser. Such incidents underscore the danger survivors face, yet they fuel her resolve. "Every single tear, every [moment of] anger is a lesson, and is motivation to improve," she says. The sight of a healed wound or a newborn's cry keeps her going: "You see the smile of the woman. You see that the wound of the woman heals. You see the baby start to cry rather than their heartbeat stop."

A Stagnant Struggle: Three Years On

Despite MSF's progress—more organized hospitals and programs—the camps remain unchanged. After two missions, Krystal sees little change in Cox's Bazar: "After three years, I go back to the same place, seeing the same walls, the same paint," she laments. Global attention has shifted to other crises, and funding cuts threaten services. "The world is forgetting them," she says, a sentiment that weighs heavily on her as an international worker.

Solidarity with Refugees: A Call to Action

Krystal's hope for the Rohingya is clear: "I hope they can have an identity....I just wish they can work independently. They can earn money independently. They can have a little bit more freedom." For Hong Kong's women, Krystal's message is clear: solidarity starts with awareness. "Empathy is very important. We need to respect them. They are still human beings. They are the same as us," she urges. She encourages staying informed, supporting refugee rights and addressing local gender violence. "No one deserves violence. No one deserves the lack of freedom," she says.

Finding Balance and Inspiring the Next Generation

Krystal balances her grueling work by embracing small joys—listening to music, exercising, or watching videos of her dog. "Watching the videos of a pet is so therapeutic," she laughs. To young women aspiring to follow her path, she offers bold advice: "Follow your heart and follow your life, because the world is very large… don't have regrets when you are 50 years old." Defying Asian cultural expectations to be "polite" and "well-behaved," she urges, "We just need to be ourselves."

Krystal's work in Cox's Bazar is a testament to her relentless resilience and deep empathy. Her story is a reminder that solidarity transcends borders. By seeing the invisible, whether in Cox's Bazar or closer to home, we can all act in solidarity and take a step toward a more equitable world.