From displacement to empowerment: How women found their voice and claimed their power

abstract

The narrative on women within war and displacement contexts focuses a great deal on their vulnerability, presenting them as passive victims. This perpetual projection of women as victims of violence veils their capacity to take positive action, assert their power and claim agency over their lives.

Based on research on the experiences and challenges of internally displaced women in the Bamenda subdivisions, North West Region of Cameroon, the feminist standpoint theory, and the capacities and vulnerabilities analysis framework, this article emphasises the importance of challenging dominant narratives that cast women as victims and passive recipients of aid, and spotlights their ability to survive in adversity.

This research used a qualitative design, unstructured interviews, and content analysis with verbatim transcriptions. Findings indicate while in a new environment, displaced women develop relevant coping strategies over time, and some have a better life compared to that experienced before the move. Over 91% of respondents reported having ventured into income-generating activities, including small trading, house help, online marketing, baking and farming. Income generated is primarily channeled towards food, shelter, health and education for both women and their children, as some women have enrolled in school since being displaced to Bamenda.

The study concludes that despite the challenges faced with displacement, the process provides exposure for displaced women, offering them a chance to rise above the limitations of cultural/social norms and practices, giving them a better chance of discovering and realising their dreams.

keywords:

• displacement
• empowerment
• agency
• voice
• power

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sirri Emelda Nche

SIRRI EMELDA NCHE just completed her MSc at the University of Buea, Cameroon. She currently serves as Programme Coordinator with Royalty World, a development-focused organisation. She works towards driving social change in communities and making transformation possible. She has always been passionate about partnering with women to help them achieve their full potential, and break free from the shackles of cultural, societal and environmental limitations. Email: [email protected]

Joyce Bayande Epsé Mbongo Endeley

Joyce Bayande Epsé Mbongo Endeley is Commissioner and Vice-President of the Sub-commission for Promotion of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC), with a mandate to promote and protect human rights culture and prevent torture, and to support a gender focal point. She is a Professor of Agricultural Extension Education & Gender Studies with over 30 years of professional experience and competence in teaching, research and community service at university (especially the University of Buea) and community level inside and outside of Cameroon. She also supervises doctoral and master’s students, and her publications include journal articles, book chapters and books. Email: [email protected]