Interrogating The Experiences Of The Girl Child In Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps In Benue State And What Faith-Based Organizations Can Do
Keywords:
Girl Child, IDP, Benue State, FBO , Nigeria, ConflictAbstract
The aim of this study is to examine the experiences of girls living in IDP camps in Benue State, Nigeria, and what FBOs could do to ameliorate their sufferings. The conflict in Benue State has occurred between the Fulani pastoralists, or herdsmen, and the indigenous people of Benue and it has led to the displacement of thousands of girls. Literature has not yet addressed the experiences of girls in internally displaced camps and the work of faith-based organisations in the various camps. Three camps in Benue State were chosen by the researchers. They are the Makurdi, Guma, and Agatu camps. Thirty (N = 30) in-depth interviews (IDI) with female IDPs in Benue State were conducted by the researchers. The participants were purposively selected. A semi-structured interview was adopted, and the data was analysed using content analysis. Emergent themes include the environment of the girl child in IDP camps, reasons for the abuse of the girl child in IDP camps, and impacts of the abuse on the girl child in IDP camps. Girls in Benue State's internally displaced people’s camps endure appalling living conditions, including little access to basic amenities, a high risk of sexual exploitation, and few options for employment and education.
References
Agbaje, Funmilayo Idowu. “The Objectified Female Body and the Boko Haram Insurgency in Northeast Nigeria: Insights from IDP Camps in Abuja.” African Security Review 29, no. 1 (January 2, 2020): 3–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10246029.2020.1776348.
Aham-Chiabuotu, Chidimma B., Gillian Abel, and Lee Thompson. “‘Men Don’t Have Patience’: Sexuality, Pleasure and Danger in Displacement Settings in Northcentral Nigeria.” Global Public Health 16, no. 5 (May 4, 2021): 801–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2019.1690539.
Akujuru, Chukwunuye, and Eziho Promise Ogele. "Conflict Management Strategies and Farmers-Herders’ Conflict in Benue State, Nigeria, 2011-2021." Journal of Political Science and Leadership Research 8, no. 2 (2022): 28-51.
Asabe, H. Mshelbara, Stanley Mahya, I. Nkeleme Emmanuel, Muhammad Marafa Ribah, and Adeyemo Adebisi Fatai. “Assessment of the Latrine Facilities and the Health Condition in IDP Camps in Borno State.” Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, June 25, 2022, 33–44. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2022/v16i830490.
Babajide, J. “Over 60 Children Affected As Measles Hit Benue IDP Camps.” Nigerian Tribune, March 2021.
Barango-Tariah, Soye. A, Chukwunuye Akujuru, and Eziho Promise Ogele. “Conflict Management Strategies and Farmers-Herders’ Conflict in Benue State, Nigeria, 2011-2021.” JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH 8, no. 2 (August 25, 2023): 28–51. https://doi.org/10.56201/jpslr.v8.no2.2022.pg28.51.
Bawa, Adam Gana, Supreet Kaur, and Pedada Durga Rao. “Gender and Sexual Violence: Challenges of Female Education in Maiduguri Internally Displaced Persons Camps, Northeast Nigeria.” INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION 37, no. 3s (2022). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Supreet_Kaur42/publication/362909379_Gender_and_Sexual_Violence_Challenges_of_Female_Education_in_Maiduguri_Internally_Displaced_Persons_Camps_Northeast_Nigeria/links/6307137b61e4553b9537e187/Gender-and-Sexual-Violence-Challenges-of-Female-Education-in-Maiduguri-Internally-Displaced-Persons-Camps-Northeast-Nigeria.pdf.
Benedict, B., Michael, F and Enem, U. Assessing The Availability And Accessibility Of Counselling Services For Trauma Victims Of Insurgency In Fct Idp Camps. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 9, no.2 (2022): 624-637
Charles, J. Two injured, houses burnt as Tiv, Jukun youths clash in Benue. Punch, 17 February, (2022):1.
Charles, J. Benue Otese Camp: Sordid stories of Benue IDP camp where snake attacks compound trauma of pregnant women, nursing mothers displaced by herdsmen . Punch, 29 March(2022):1
Danjibo, Nathaniel, and Adebimpe Akinkuotu. “Rape as a Weapon of War against Women and Girls.” Gender and Behaviour 17, no. 2 (July 5, 2019): 13161–73.
Duru, P. Suspected herdsmen kill 15, raze houses in Benue, Vanguard, June 13, (2022):1.
Editor, Resettle IDPs in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, TheGuardian, 8 December (2020):1.
Ejembi, R. 30 killed in another Zaki-Biam invasion. DailySun (2019):1.
Ekezie, Winifred, Puja Myles, Rachael L. Murray, Manpreet Bains, Stephen Timmons, and Catherine Pritchard. "Self-reported diseases and their associated risk factors among camp-dwelling conflict-affected internally displaced populations in Nigeria." Journal of Public Health 43, no. 2 (2021): e171-e179.
Gbaka, E. "Managing conflict between farmers and pastoralists in Benue State, Nigeria." Peace Trends 2, no. 3 (2014): 1-3.
Gbaoron, N., Unresolved border dispute blamed for unending Tiv-Jukun crisis. (2022). https://businessday.ng/news/article/unresolved-border-dispute-blamed-for-unending-tiv-jukun-crisis/
Guardian, 1.5m persons in IDP camps in Benue. TheGuardian, 20 June (2022):1
Johnson, B. Killing Spree In Benue, Herdsmen Murder Over 20, NigerianTribune, April 23, (2022):1
Khafagy, Riham Ahmed. “Faith-Based Organizations: Humanitarian Mission or Religious Missionary.” Journal of International Humanitarian Action 5, no. 1 (December 2020): 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-020-00080-6.
Kupoluyi, A. Protecting the girl-child, TheGuardian, 3 December, (2021):1.
Kwaja, C. & Ademola-Adelehin, B. Farmers and Herders Responses to Conflicts Mapping in the Middle Belt of Nigeria: Past efforts and opportunities for violence prevention. (2018), https://www.sfcg.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Responses-to-Conflicts-between-Farmers-and-Herders-in-the-Middle-Belt-FINAL.pdf
Lawrence, Kehinde Clement. “A Study on the Psycho-Social Factors Associated with the Mental Health of Uniformed Personnel in Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps in Nigeria.” Community Mental Health Journal 57, no. 4 (May 2021): 764–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00692-7.
Majekodunmi, Ayodele O, Akinyemi Fajinmi, Charles Dongkum, Alexandra P M Shaw, and Susan C Welburn. “Pastoral Livelihoods of the Fulani on the Jos Plateau of Nigeria.” Pastoralism 4, no. 1 (December 2014): 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-014-0020-7.
Marlow, Heather M., Michael Kunnuji, Adenike Esiet, Funsho Bukoye, and Chimaraoke Izugbara. “The Sexual and Reproductive Health Context of an Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp in Northeastern Nigeria: Narratives of Girls and Young Women.” Frontiers in Reproductive Health 3 (January 13, 2022): 779059. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2021.779059.
Obioha, Emeka E. “Climate Change, Population Drift and Violent Conflict over Land Resources in Northeastern Nigeria.” Journal of Human Ecology 23, no. 4 (April 2008): 311–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2008.11906084.
Oboegbulem, Angie, and Idoko Alphonusu Alfa. “Conflict Resolution Strategies in Non-Government Secondary Schools in Benue State, Nigeria,” n.d.
Ochu, U. C., Odey, O. C., Aondongu, J. N., Alobo, O. J., & Davidson, B. C. The Anti-Open Grazing Policy And Farmers-Herders’conflicts In Benue State, Nigeria 7 no.2 (2024):1-10.
Ogu, E. C., Obinna Ovaga Augustine, and Celestine Ochu Udeh. "State policy action and farmers-herders’ conflicts in Benue State, Nigeria." International Journal of Innovative Development and Policy Studies 11, no. 2 (2023): 73-87.
Oguntolu, F. R. and Sani, M. H. “Crop Farmers-Pastoralists Perception Of Resolution Strategies To End Recurring Conflicts In Benue, State Nigeria.” Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development 4, no. 4 (December 1, 2021): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.59331/jasd.v4i4.251.
Okwute, Enyojo S., Augusta O. Okwute, and Jacob D. Ibrahim. “Environmental Health Problems in Displacement: A Case Study of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in Maiduguri Camps Borno State, Nigeria.” Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, September 4, 2020, 37–49. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2020/v13i330310.
Relief Web. Growing impact of the Pastoral Conflict. (2018), https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/growing-impact-pastoral-conflict. Accessed December, 4th 2024
Rohwerder, B. Women and girls in forced and protracted displacement. Governance and Social Development Resource Center. (2016), https://rb.gy/cc496z
Ugwa, J. Sexual Abuse Thrives in Nigeria’s IDP Camps with No Recourse for Victims. (2021). https://womensmediacenter.com/women-under-siege/sexual-abuse-thrives-in-nigerias-idp-camps-with-no-recourse-for-victims
Ukiwo, Ukoha. “Politics, Ethno-Religious Conflicts and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria.” The Journal of Modern African Studies 41, no. 1 (March 2003): 115–38. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022278X02004172.
