Highlighting the plight of African women and girls as forcibly displaced people and the need for sustainable solutions
Part 1.
To mark 2019 as a year dedicated to refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, and in conjunction with the implementation of various programs by the African Union to raise global awareness of the issue of forced displacement in Africa, the African Union Women, Peace and Security The wife of the special security envoy took office. . Vineta Diop shares her discoveries from a visit to the Triangle of Death. The first of the two-part series is “The Plight of Women and Girls as Forcibly Displaced People.” Deliberate action towards sustainable solutions,” she also provides insight into why women and girls are the worst affected in the dire situation of forced displacement.
The negative effects of forced displacement are usually more pronounced on disadvantaged women and girls, even in stable communities..
What are the unique challenges faced by refugee, returnee and internally displaced women and girls?
Migration is the foundation for more inclusive, tolerant and diverse societies. Immigrants have enriched cultures and civilizations over the years, and immigrants have contributed to great progress in their host societies. The African Union is therefore calling for ease of regional trade, freedom of movement and the introduction of an African passport, all of which are flagship projects. Migration of people is therefore only a concern in situations where people are forced to flee their homes. Forced migration is the worst kind of people's movement because it means not only losing your home, but also having your dreams, plans, and identity destroyed and moving to a strange land with despair and fear.
The negative effects of forced migration are typically more pronounced on disadvantaged women and girls, even in stable communities. A culture of discrimination is widespread, and sexual and gender-based violence is a daily reality. These vices destroy the lives of women and girls and have a devastating impact on society as a whole. As we all know, rebuilding a mentally broken person is not as easy as rebuilding infrastructure. These scars often remain lifelong and affect future generations as women are the caregivers of young people.
Moreover, women, children and families of those involved in conflict situations are more likely to become targets and weapons of war. The Chibok girls are a perfect example. Often this happens to entire communities of wives and children left behind by their husbands and sons.
In July 2017, I was part of the UN-AU High Level Solidarity Mission to the Republic of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In both countries, the delegation met with grassroots women leaders and Chibok Girls rescued from Boko Haram. There are large camps for internally displaced persons, such as Dalori camp in Nigeria and Mugunga internally displaced persons camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We held focus group discussions with internally displaced women to deepen our understanding and learn from their experiences. These experiences are very similar. Women end up exchanging sex for food or being raped. Sexual violence is not the only thing they face.
During the same mission, we visited the areas commonly known as the “triangle of death” – Beni, Wicha and Bunia, where we met female refugees living in the worst conditions. They settled down, built huts, and took care of their children. Earlier that week, they had gone out to fetch firewood and water, and when they returned they saw smoke and the ruins of a hut in the distance. Militia came and destroyed the entire camp and moved on. This is not uncommon in camping. Women are double victims and it is truly tragic that the cycle continues.
Which geographic regions are facing these challenges and why?
It is important to note that the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons rarely remains a national issue and also has a negative impact on the entire region.
In Africa, according to recent data, the continent is home to at least 6.2 million refugees and asylum seekers. Furthermore, the number of internally displaced persons continues to grow and now exceeds 16 million. These people are distributed across Africa, but primarily in the Sahel, Central Africa, the Horn of Africa, and other volatile parts of the continent, such as Libya. One unfortunate fact is that trends in population displacement and sexual violence worsen as conflicts drag on. It is important to note that the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons rarely remains a national issue and also has a negative impact on the entire region. Currently, the G5 is suffering from violent extremism, with Boko Haram and other violent extremist groups finding breeding grounds and shifting their terrorist activities to neighboring countries, thereby destabilizing the region.
Why should displaced African women and girls living outside the continent look forward to returning home?
Despite the common perception and depiction that African migrants and refugees primarily move to Europe, statistics show that more than half of migrants and refugees remain on the African continent. Globally, Africa is home to one-third of the world's refugees and internally displaced persons. This fact must be questioned, given the fact that host countries host them at great cost to their fragile economies. Additionally, there appears to be fatigue on the part of partners, who are less willing to financially support host governments or accept refugees in third countries. Therefore, it is imperative that our solutions are inward-looking.
These movements are not necessarily caused by pull factors, but rather by push factors. These are mainly instability, conflict, poverty and climate change. A devastating drought has led to an influx of refugees into neighboring countries. This understanding will help you prioritize your strategy. Women and children are fleeing in search of safety and security. Therefore, the best way to secure women and children is to ensure sustainable peace, which in turn will ensure development.
It is important to keep in mind that the other face of immigrants and refugees is young people. Young people, here specifically referred to as immigrants, leave their home countries in search of improved socio-economic conditions and possible access to educational and employment opportunities. Creating a peaceful environment therefore requires an inclusive, multidisciplinary peacebuilding and reconciliation process that represents women, youth and other victims. Such dialogue and reconciliation platforms and infrastructure, as well as youth employment, must be prioritized at all levels, including under the AU-UN Joint Framework.
In the second part of this series, Mme. Vineta Diop shares Her insights into the synergies of interventions to address remaining challenges and how to avoid the emergence of new crises. The second half will be published in the July issue of the AU Monthly Newsletter.
