Gender Analysis of the Impacts of Displacement on Western Sudanese Migrants in Khartoum State, Sudan

Citation:

Rahamtalla, Nawal Mohamed, and Awadalla Mohamed Saeed. 2009. “Gender Analysis of the Impacts of Displacement on Western Sudanese Migrants in Khartoum State, Sudan.” Ahfad Journal 26 (2): 15–46.

Authors: Nawal Mohamed Rahamtalla, Awadalla Mohamed Saeed

Abstract:

This study employed a gender analytical perspective to assess the socioeconomic impacts of displacement on Western Sudanese migrants in Khartoum State. It identified the different causes for migration and assessed the impact of population displacement on agricultural production in the rural areas of origin, and on the socio-economic conditions of the displaced families. Using a participatory approach, the study attempted to gauge the attitude of the displaced towards voluntary return to rural areas, and their perception of the requirements, that if provided would constitute an incentive for return. A random sample of households in camps for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) was selected for purposes of the study. Data collection involved use of structured interview schedules for obtaining relevant information. Data analysis revealed that the decision to migrate to Khartoum state was collective. Whole families were forced to leave their areas of origin because of the drought conditions which affected their rural areas of origin since the mid 1980s, and because of tribal conflicts over use of natural resources which later culminated into civil war. These forced migrants were mainly farmers and agro-pastoralists. Most of them have abandoned cultivation of their farmland, but some (mainly men) return seasonally to cultivate their land with the help of the remaining relatives or sharecroppers.. Most of the female heads of the displaced households were found to be landless. The living conditions of the displaced families in tile camps were found not to be better than the living conditions of the families before migration. Rather, the living expenses for the migrants in their urban destination areas have jumped up considerably relative to those in the rural areas of origin. Gender analysis revealed that tile migrants' tribal norm of placing the responsibility for household food security on women has persisted ill the migrant's urban displacement areas, and that women are bearing the bulk of life stresses in the IDPs' camps. Most of the interviewed IDPs have not benefited from the available education and health services; mainly because of the involved expenses. Young family members (especially those belonging to female-headed households) are forced not to go to school or to drop out in order to engage in trivial income-generating activities to supplement household incomes. Despite their poverty, most of the Western Sudanese migrant heads of households in the sample (especially women) expressed a desire for permanent residence in Khartoum state. A minority (mainly men) expressed a willingness to return in case of provision of incentives by the government, including establishment of peace and security, provision of subsidized health, education and water supply services, conservation of natural resources, and facilitation of access to financial capital for sustaining rural development activities.

Topics: Displacement & Migration, IDPs, Refugee/IDP Camps, Economies, Poverty, Gender, Gender Analysis, Households Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Sudan

Year: 2009