Atrocities On Women And Female Children At Refugee Camps In Tanzania :A Case Study Of Nyarugusu Refugee Camp

ABSTRACT

The study aims at understanding different forms and the magnitude of atrocities on women and female children prevailing at Nyarugusu refugee camp. The factors leading to atrocities, interventions activities undertaken to deal with atrocities and suggestive measures for protecting women and girls are given due importance.

The research is descriptive in nature and methodology used includes the application of various data collection methods such as Interview, Focus Group Discussion and Observation. The study is based on primary data collected with the help of Interview Schedule, Focus Group Discussion Guide and Observation Guide. However, the Secondary data were also collected from various documents to support the study.

The findings of the study, shows that the major forms of atrocities at Nyarugusu refugee camp are; rape and attempted rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence and human compensation. The main factors which causes these atrocities are; the use of drug abuse and exposure to blue films, idleness, insecurity of girls and women while collecting fire wood from a distant forest, lack of security in the camp site, reluctance of victims to report the incidence of atrocities, and finally easy escape of the culprit with or without least punishment and penalty.

The researcher concludes that the problem of atrocities in refugee camps can be addressed by generating awareness on human rights with special emphasis on women‘s right. UNHCR and other intervening agencies should use proper guidelines that are legally uniform to address sexual harassment as well as domestic violence. Further special campaign on women and their privileges can give a better result to minimize the intensity of the problem.