Factors Influencing Sexual Vulnerability of Refugee Women:

Abstract

Background; this study was about factors influencing sexual vulnerability of refugee women; A case study of female refugees in Dadaab camp, Kenya Objective; the general objective was to establish factors influencing sexual vulnerability of women in Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya. Methodology; A cross-sectional study was undertaken whereby on spot data was collected from refugee females and using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population was sampled conveniently and the data was collected by research assistants who were trained on data collection techniques, they physically made contact with the respondents in Dadaab camp and administered the questionnaires, only refugee women who were consented in study participated. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 16.0) and excel to show frequencies and percentages. Also Pearson‟s Chi-Square was used to show the level of association between the independent (environmental factors, cultural, socio economic, law enforcement mechanisms) which could increase sexual vulnerability of refugee women and dependent variables (sexual vulnerability). Results; Majority of the women (85%) living in Dadaab camp in Kenya reported to have been sexually vulnerable. The factors contributing to sexual vulnerability of women that were found to have a statistically significant association with sexual vulnerability (p<0.05) included; the type of shelter they lived in; sharing of sanitation facilities such as latrine facilities and bathrooms with men; the low socio-economic status of women; cultural mixing of different populations with in the camp with no social attachment; weak policies on sexual abuse and limited reporting of sexual crimes within the camp and negligence of police were reported. A part from all these mentioned above, also there are huge differences of social interaction since the most of the refugee came from Somalia. People hated themselves and they are fed up with the other social to be interacted. In conclusion; majority of the refugee woman living in Dadaab camp are sexually vulnerable to sexual scandals both within the camp and along the roads as they move to fetch water and firewood and the rate of sexual scandals was high. Different aspects of environmental, socio- economic and law enforcement policies influence the vulnerability of women to sexual scandals with Dadaab refugee camp.