CAMP ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL DISPLACEMENT AND WELL-BEING OF FEMALES IN SELECTED INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS’ (IDPS) CAMPS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT) ABUJA

Abstract

The frequency and intensity of violence in Northern Nigeria with its associated humanitarian crises have necessitated the establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the region. While these camps offer temporary shelters for displaced vulnerable groups, especially women and children, there are certain conditions in such camps like lack of social and basic facilities, unsafe buildings, lack of economic opportunities and security that may predispose them to further incidence of gender-based violence while seeking shelter and survival. Thus, the study examined the relationship between the social environment of IDPs camps and the well-being of female inmates in some selected IDPs camps located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a combination of quantitative and qualitative design methods. The simple random sampling technique was utilized to select eight hundred and fifty-two (852) females on whom copies of questionnaire were administered. Findings revealed that there are diverse manifestations of gender-based violence in the IDPs camps due to the poor camp environment such as no access to basic needs and facilities, insecurity, poor buildings, drug use etc.The study findings show that the camp environment conditions have significant effects on the experience of sexual and gender-based violence F (3,840) = 132.41, p <.05. This has implication for the social well-being of the females in the IDP camps. The study recommends that the government should provide proper incentives for a comfortable camp environment and proper management of the displaced persons’ social well-being.