Gender and Refugees: A Case Study of The Eritrean Refugees in The Shimelba Refugee Camp, Tigray National State, Ethiopia
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Date
2009-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Ethiopia, the Tigray national state, due to its geographical proximity to
Eritrea host large number of Eritrean refugees in Shimeliba refugee camp.
They cross the Ethiopia border starting just after the end of the EthioEritrea
war in 2001. Due to the very nature of vulnerability of women and
females in refugee setting area assessing the gender aspects become
significant. The study is new in the context of Ethiopia; and the situation
could be precipitated by the prevalence of male dominant which ratio
nearly 1 :3.
In order to achieve the objectives focus group discussion, life story, survey,
key informant, and observation were employing as the main methods in
data gathering. Qualitative and qualitative information were compiled from
relevant agencies and organizations working with refugees. Then
described and analyzed the whole information in a coherent manner.
According to the finding of this research a number of factors at institutional
and community level contributing to an influx of the Eritrean to Ethiopia.
The root causes for fleeing were govemmental repression: migration control
policy, banning the right of religious liberty, and ethnic disregarding. The
situation triggered by the out break of the Ethio-Eritrea war of 1998. In the
study area it is unique that the actors for gender-based violence are the
refugee men. In addition to food ration and income generating activities
remittances contribute significant sources of income to the refugee
community. The result suggests that the need to participate the refugee
community in the camp layout in a specified approach. Revising the
different discriminatory policy and law of Eritrea and appropriately
intervene by different intemational institutions and countries become
significant. Hence, the least durable solution for the refugee in theory
becomes the best for the Eritrean that is resettlement to third country.
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Keywords
Gender and Refugees