CSOs: Women, children in IDP camps vulnerable to GBV — they need protection

The State of Emergency GBV Movement (SoEGBV), a coalition of 10 civil society organisations (CSOs), says governments need to do more to sensitise and protect women and children in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps against sexual and gender-based violence.

The coalition made the call during a visit to the Elmiskin IDP camp, Jere LGA, Borno state.

The groups are Invictus Africa, TechHerNG, Yiaga Africa, Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Connected Development (CODE), Stand To End Rape Initiative, YouthHubAfrica, Education as a Vaccine, Enough is Enough, and SilverChipFox Consulting Services.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ofim Kelechi Ofim, TechHerNG communications officer, said the sanitary and living conditions of the camp need urgent attention, especially for women, girls and children.

“We understand that the camps are temporary and makeshift shelters pending when it’s safe for inhabitants to return to their communities. But what we have currently is not ideal for human habitation, and we can do better,” he said. 

“The government has a duty, working with aid agencies and non-governmental organisations, to ensure that basic needs and safety standards are in place.

“Most importantly, there is the need to sensitise the IDPs of the forms of GBV, response options and consequences that await perpetrators. We’ve heard the terrible news about this reality, even perpetrated by camp officials and security personnel,” he revealed.

Ofim said the visit to the camp is part of the coalition’s campaign to educate women and girls, particularly in conflict areas, about the different forms of GBV and the available options for help.

“With support from the Global Fund for Women, we developed a comic book titled: ‘Whispers About Her’. The comic is in six languages — English, Arabic, Kanuri, Hausa, Fulfulde & Pidgin. It basically tells the unique GBV experiences of women and children in IDP camps while outlining options for remedies and help for survivors,” he said. 

“We hope this will complement other efforts towards mass education of citizens about GBV and in the fight against the scourge.”

Dorothy Njemanze, executive director of Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, said the authorities and other stakeholders should intensify advocacy and sensitisation programmes beyond the IDP camps.

“Sensitisation programmes against GBV must be comprehensive and all-encompassing, including those outside the IDP camps,” she said.

“Everyone has to take responsibility because we have to ensure that it’s safe for the displaced women and children to return to their communities when that time comes.”

The group shared sanitary items and clothing to women and children in the camp.