IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON LIVELIHOODS OF RURAL WOMEN

Abstract

The study was conducted in Abu shock IDPs camp near El Fasher city in North Darfur State. The main objectives were to investigate the socio-economic conditions of the displaced, the impact of conflict on the livelihood of the displaced rural women, and to identify and assess the livelihood strategies that are adopted by women heads of households. A quota sample of 150 women were selected to include the different tribal groups and geographical location in the camp. Structured interview schedules were used for collecting primary data. Data analysis involved use of the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS).The statistical methods, included; t.test analysis; correlation analysis; regression analysis; path analysis and frequency and percentage distribution which include, Half of the respondents (50.7%) were from the Fur tribe, and the rest included members of the Tonjor, Zaghawa, Barrty, Barrgo, Mosabaat, Barno and Gimir tribes. Less than half of the respondents (46.7%) had basic education and (78%) of them were unemployed. The main economic activities that were performed by women before displacement were farming, animal rearing, laboring, and petty trading. After displacement, no farming or animal rearing was pursued by women. Their main income generating activities in the camp were found to be handicrafts making for sale, selling of portions of the supplied relief materials, brick making, petty trade, selling of fire wood, selling beverages and cooked food items, water vending, laboring, and selling of family assets when in need. Most of the women in the sample (88%) stated that their households were formerly headed by their husbands, but after moving to the camp 66% of the women in the sample became the heads of their households either because of death or migration of husbands, or because their husbands are unemployed. Most of the respondents stated that the standard of health and education, and other services that are provided in the camp are better than those which they used to get in their areas of origin before displacement. However, 76.5% of them revealed that they are facing security problems in the camp. About 87.3% are facing shortage of water, 66.7% are facing health services problems, and 46.3% reported food insecurity problem. The majority of the respondents expressed a desire to remain in the camp. Only a minority (18%) of the respondents revealed that they would return to their areas of origin if the government ensures security, supply of needed services. The study Recommended that the concerned authorities encourage voluntary return of the displaced to their areas of origin through establishment of law and order in those areas by peaceful means, observing human rights and equity in supply of social services and their expansion, rehabilitation of the natural resource base of the abandoned areas, provision of financial subsidies to the displaced families as seed money, provision of institutional support services that enhance and sustain the rural livelihood activities.