Assessment of the Impact of the National Policy on Displacement on the Resettlement of Women and the Girl-Child in North-Eastern Nigeria

The resolution of conflicts and internecine wars across Africa has often proved enigmatic due to the failure to comprehend, articulate and activate an adequate framework for post-conflict reconstruction. Scholars like Laury Ocen, Olu Arowosegbe, and Elizabeth Mutunga admit that as seen in Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other conflict-ridden parts of Africa, post-conflict peace building must become integrative and indigenous in its approach especially as it relates to women and the girl-child. In Nigeria, there appears to be a prevalent difficulty in the interpretation and application of the National Policy on Displacement which unfortunately affects the wellbeing and procedure for the resettlement of displaced women and girl-child. In dissolving these concerns, the study therefore suggests that the roles of governments in rehabilitation and social reconstruction after conflicts as contained in its policy document, should be determined largely by an understanding of the peculiarities of the individuals and agencies involved in post-conflict justice, especially in terms of their worldview, culture and environment. It submits that this will undoubtedly assist in disparaging the monolithic disposition often adopted by governments or its agencies while at the same time assuaging the fears of displaced women and their children.