ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF FORCED DISPLACEMENT ON GENDER DIFFERENTIALS IN IDP CAMPS IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

This research work assessed the effects of forced displacement along gender lines in selected Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Maiduguri, Borno State. Data collection procedures include qualitative method which involves the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in three age categories: young people (15-29 years), older people (30-44 years) and the elderly (45-59 years) among both sexes. The FGDs comprised of six groups consisting of 8 participants (three groups consisting of males and another three groups of females per camp) making a total of 48 FGD participants per camp. This gave a total of 240 males and females altogether. The second qualitative research method employed the use of Key Informant Interview (KII) to generate in-depth information on the IDPs within the various formal camps in Maiduguri. Seven key informants per camp were sampled which included religious leaders and camp leaders among both sexes. The total population that were sampled in the 5 formal camps was 275 (240 IDPs for FGD and 35 key informants for KII). Some of the data obtained were subjected to quantitative designs and analysed using simple percentages and frequencies while the qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that most of the effects of forced displacement felt by the respondents were similar among both sexes: lack of electricity, shortage of water, poor health facilities and no refuse bin for waste disposal. The difference between both sexes was that the females have higher proportion of those living in fear (feelings of insecurity while men had a higher proportion of those who have lost their self-worth and dignity as a result of the displacement. It was recommended that NGOs in charge of these informal IDPs should ensure adequate and functional facilities in the camps so as to minimize the negative effects on both sexes of the IDPs.