Effects of Women Vulnerability in Wassa Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

This study examines the effects of women vulnerability in the management of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Wassa Camp Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. Intersectionality Gender theory and Human Needs theory were utilized. The paper adopted both primary and secondary methods of data collection. For primary data, the paper administered 120 Questionnaires, out of which 100 were returned: for 60 women and 40 men. 7 Key Informant Interviews were also conducted with management staff of the camp, including security operatives assigned to the camp. Simple statistical tools and content analysis were used to analyse the data. The secondary data consulted books, journals, newspapers, reports of NGOs and internet materials. Simple statistical tools and descriptive content analysis were used to present the data. The findings revealed that the strategies deployed in the management of the camp include aligning with the National Policy on IDPs, construction of makeshift tents as shelters, partnership with NGOs, occasional rationing of food and provision of security. It was further discovered that the management strategies adopted by the IDP have negative impacts on women within the facility in terms of discomforting sheltering, health related concerns, maternal mortality, sexual harassment and exploitation. Some of the measures that have been put in place by the management of the camp and government (FCTA) include proposal to relocate the camp to another conducive environment, increase in supply of essential materials and consumables, improvement in partnerships with NGOs and other stakeholders and introduction of schools for the children. This study concluded that despite the efforts of stakeholders at addressing some of the challenges cited above, their negative impacts on women still largely persist. It is therefore recommended that state and non-state actors, being the stakeholders should always conduct thorough gender-sensitive needs assessment in the camp to better understand the unique challenges and vulnerabilities being faced by women.