Indigenous Outcast: The Internally Displaced Persons experience in Serria Leone
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Date
2015
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Publisher
Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Armed conflict and natural disaster (act of god) are two major causes of displacement. One of the the biggest direct consequences of armed conflict is the creation of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps with poor living conditions and diverse Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The 1991 -2002 civil war in Sierra Leone left many indigenes homeless while several IDPs camps were created, notable among them was "Grafton" otherwise known as Amputees Camp. To protect the rights of the IDPs in Africa, some international instruments were putIn objectives of the study were to; examine the rights of IDPs in Africa, some international instruments were put in place . The objectives of the study were to: examine the rights of IDPs in Africa, investigate the extent of implementation of the international instrument and to evaluate GBV being faced by residents of Grafton Amputees Camp in Sierra Leone.
The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with quantitative and qualitative tools to elicit data. The research instruments were structured interview and key informants interview guides. Snowballing sampling technique was used to identify actual displaced persons.
The Findings of the study are that; both males and females faced GBV in Grafton Camp-there is discrimination against camp residents from host community; Government is not giving any support expected in camps for basic welfare of the IDPs.
In conclusion, the absence of punishment for perpetrators of GBV made GBV survivors more vulnerable and the absence of penalty for non -compliance with international agreements on protection of Refugees and IDPs made violation thrive.
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Keywords
Amputees, Gender-Based Violence, Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees, International Agreements, International Instruments