THE CHALLENGES OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) IN NIGERIAN CAMPS PARTICULARLY THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Abstract

Abstract This paper examined the condition of women and children in various IDP camps in Nigeria. It is confirmed that women and children constitute 80% of total population among IDPs and they seemed to be more vulnerable to several social problems in the cause of been displaced persons. Some of these problems encountered by women and children include abuses from camp leaders, security agents and members of the host communities. In the consequence of the abuses on women and children which mostly was transactional sex and forced marriages, these women and children have continued to be in pitiable state as they remained hopeless. Hence, there is a need to put to light, the plight of these women and children in order to make the government(s) and non -governmental organizations and religious/humanitarian bodies to help in harnessing a lasting solution to the perils of the IDPs, especially as it affects women and children. This study utilized a combination of socio historical, phenomenological and descriptive research methodological approaches, as it finds out that women and children suffer more in several ordeals that befalls on them as a result of their displacement.