Speaker
Description
Mashi, M. A.
UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA, UNIVERSITY KATSINA
mubarakmashi@gmail.com
Track: Inclusion, Equity and Digital Access
Banditry in the North-western states of Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara have led to the loss of lives and property and the displacement of millions and thousands of people especially women and children with adverse socio-economic challenges of inadequate shelter, food insecurity, lack of access to justice in the case of violation of their rights, poor sanitation and hygiene, sexual violence and exploitation, human trafficking, and lack of access to necessities. Despite the existing policies and principles on the rights of the IDPs, government and non-governmental humanitarian organisations that are supposed to assist and protect the rights of the IDPs, the situation of the IDPs is becoming more heartbreaking. This is due to a lack of commitment by the government and the preponderance of corruption in the management of relief items meant for the IDPs. It is against this backdrop that this paper examines the complex and devastating interplay between banditry, internal displacement and socio-economic challenges faced by IDP women in Northwest Nigeria: A Case Study of Katsina State, 2015-2025. The paper employs qualitative research methods in data collection and analysis. Through the use of key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and primary and secondary data as the instruments and sources of data collection, respectively. Theoretically, the paper adopts the Human Need Theory as a guide in the analysis of issues under investigation. Findings from this study revealed that the socio-economic well-being of IDP women in the state is not guaranteed. The IDPs faced life-threatening challenges of exchange of ‘food and shelter for sex’, forced prostitution, the threat of diseases, hunger and starvation, the threat of forced and early marriage, human trafficking and child labour. The study found that efforts made by the government and non-governmental humanitarian organisations are not sufficient to address the socio-economic conditions of the IDP women in the State. Based on these findings the study recommends that the socio-economic conditions of IDP women can only be safeguarded when the government is committed to providing the peculiar needs of the IDPs such as medical aid, clean water, food and other essential household items; strict adherence to principles and policies on the rights of IDPs women and children; access to justice in the cases of violation of IDP’s right; zero tolerance for corruption; and the provision of formal IDPs with proper management.