CAUSES AND IMPACT OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF AMHARA AND OIMANT ETHNIC GROUPS RELOCATED IN NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

 The study was aimed to identify the causes and impacts of internal displacement (hereafter ID) on women and children of ‘Amhara’ and ‘Qimant’ ethnic groups relocated in North-West Ethiopia. An exploratory qualitative study was carried out through Key informant interviews and FGDs triangulated with informal discussions and field observation. The samples were selected using purposive sampling techniques. The research finding shows evidences from the two groups of ethnicities. The finding reveals that the cause for the ID is the ethnic based federalism which is formulated based on ethnicity and the unanswered question of self-determination and self-administration. Regarding the impacts, ID affects the lives of displaced women in that it results in immediate family separation, the loss of social ties which radically increases ID women’s responsibilities. It is also disclosed that ID makes women more vulnerable to poverty and lack of health services particularly reproductive health services. There is also evidence that children are exposed to insecurity of food and clothing. Combined with the malnutrition, children are facing lack of access to essential healthcare and education, traumatic stress and labour exploitation. Generally, the findings show that displaced women and children are suffering from discrimination that prevents access to civil, economic and political rights. Thus, it is recommended that the government should give political resolutions and should work with local NGOs closely to access need-based aid.