‘They Say Our Work Is Not Halal’: Experiences and challenges of refugee community workers involved in gender-based violence prevention and care in Dadaab, Kenya

Izugbara, Chimaraoke, Muthuri, Stella, Muuo, Sheru, Egesa, Carolyne, Franchi, Giorgia, Mcalpine, Alys, Bacchus, Loraine and Hossain, Mazeda ORCID: 0000-0002-1878-8145 (2018) ‘They Say Our Work Is Not Halal’: Experiences and challenges of refugee community workers involved in gender-based violence prevention and care in Dadaab, Kenya. Journal of Refugee Studies. ISSN 0951-6328

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Abstract

Notwithstanding the growing centrality of refugee community workers (RCWs) in the current response to gender-based violence (GBV) in the Dadaab refugee camps, they remain poorly studied. Using interview data, we explored the work-related experiences and challenges as well as GBV-related beliefs of RCWs. Whilst they demonstrated elevated knowledge of the forms and drivers of GBV in their community, some of the RCWs did not deem early marriage, female genital mutilation and wife-beating to be GBV acts. In their work, RCWs were motivated by compassion for survivors as well as a sense of community service, but they faced challenges such as insecurity; poor pay; opposition and violence by community members; tense relationships with and suspicion by professional providers; and limited skills and preparation in GBV management. RCWs’ GBV-related beliefs and work experiences underscore the challenges of programming in a complex humanitarian space and offer insights for strengthening their contribution in GBV care and service delivery.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://academic.oup.com/jrs
Additional Information:	© 2018 The Authors
Divisions:	IGA: Centre for Women Peace and Security
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2019 12:06
Last Modified:	16 Apr 2024 17:09
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/101626

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