Refugee woman and the experiences of local integration in Nairobi, Kenya [Elektronische Ressource] / submitted by Rosemary Jaji

Rose Pruiksma

Sujets

• Ethnologie

Informations

• Publié par: universitat_bayreuth
• Publié le: 01 janvier 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 25
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

REFUGEE WOMEN AND THE EXPERIENCES OF
LOCAL INTEGRATION IN NAIROBI, KENYA



Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the
requirements of a doctoral degree awarded by BIGSAS at
Bayreuth University








Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kurt Beck

November 2009



Submitted by
Rosemary Jaji
Harare, Zimbabwe

Table of Contents

Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. v
List of Figures.........................................................................................................................vii
Abstract/Zusammenfassung.................................................................................................viii

Chapter One: Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
1.0 Situating Refugee Women in Africa .............................................................................. 1
1.1. Definition of Key Concepts.................................................................................................3
1.1.1 Refugee...................................................................................................................... 3
1.1.2. Integration................................................................................................................ 7
1.1.2.1. Integration and Assimilation............................................................................. 7
1.1.2.2. Local Integration and Local/Organised Settlement.......................................... 8
1.2. Historical and Research Background ................................................................................ 11
1.3. Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................. 15
1.4. Objectives of the Study ..................................................................................................... 18
1.5. Justification of the Study................................................................................................... 18
1.6. A Note on the Field ........................................................................................................... 20
1.6.1. Overview of the Refugee Population in Kenya....................................................... 24
1.7. Refugee Hosting in the Context of Globalisation ............................................................. 26
1.8. Ethics, Methodology and Research Methods.................................................................... 28
1.8.1. Questionnaire......................................................................................................... 30
1.8.2. Structured, Semi-structured and Unstructured interviews..................................... 31
1.8.3. Participant Observation......................................................................................... 33
1.8.4. Focus Group Discussions....................................................................................... 34
1.8.5. Documents.............................................................................................................. 35
1.8.6. Websites, “Tele-observation” and Newspapers..................................................... 36
1.9. Scope and Organisation of the Study ................................................................................ 37

Chapter Two: Local Integration: The Impact of Refugee Identities................................. 38
2.0 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 38
2.1. Attractions of Urban Life for Refugees............................................................................. 39
2.2.1. Security Concerns .................................................................................................. 40
2.2.2. Economic Opportunities......................................................................................... 43
i2.2.3. Medical Needs........................................................................................................ 44
2.2.4. Education ............................................................................................................... 45
2.2.5. Quest for Freedom and Self-determination............................................................ 45
2.2.6. Lack of UNHCR Documents .................................................................................. 48
2.3. Convergence of the Refugee Status with Ethnic Profiling................................................ 49
2.3.1. Refugee Women from the Horn of Africa............................................................... 50
2.3.2. Refugee Women from Sudan 52
2.3.3. Refugee Women from the Great Lakes Region....................................................... 55
2.4. Refugee Women’s Perspectives and Self-representation.................................................. 57
2.4.1. Refugee Women Counter Ethnic Profiling............................................................. 61
2.5. Global and Regional Geopolitics: Ramifications for Refugee Women ............................ 64
2.5.1. Hutu Rwandan Refugee Women............................................................................. 64
2.5.2. Somali Refugee Women.......................................................................................... 69
2.6. Refugee Identities and Geopolitics: Impact on Local Integration..................................... 78

Chapter Three: Legal Protection and Implications for Integration.................................. 88
3.0. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 88
3.1. UNHCR and Local Integration in Nairobi ........................................................................ 88
3.1.1. Refugee Women and the Status Determination Process ........................................ 91
3.1.2. Treading the Fine Line between the Humanitarian and the Political.................. 100
3.1.3. Dealing with Power: Quest for Legitimacy.......................................................... 104
3.2. Lack of Protection Documents and Integration............................................................... 113
3.3. Refugee Women and Physical Protection ....................................................................... 117
3.3.1. Corruption, Discrimination and Refugee Women Protection.............................. 121
3.4. Refugee Women and Kenyan Authorities 125
3.4.1. Harassment, Extortion and Sexual Violence........................................................ 128
3.5. Refugee Rights Awareness among Refugee Women...................................................... 132
3.6. A Promising Future? Kenya’s Refugee Act.................................................................... 134
3.7. Dilemmas of the Refugee Status in the Process of Integration....................................... 135

Chapter Four: Integration: Economic, Social and Cultural Dimensions ....................... 139
4.0 Introduction............................................................................................................... 139
4.1. Economic, Social and Cultural Circumstances in Nairobi.............................................. 140
4.1.1. Unemployment and Financial Constraints .......................................................... 141
ii4.1.2. The Need for Supplementary and Staple Foodstuffs ............................................ 145
4.1.3. Housing and Rentals ............................................................................................ 147
4.1.4. Access to Medical Services .................................................................................. 149
4.1.5. Education ............................................................................................................. 150
4.2. Humanitarian Assistance as an Obstacle to Integration .................................................. 152
4.3. Exile, Gender Roles and Intra-household Dynamics ...................................................... 156
4.4. Vulnerability to Sexual Abuse ........................................................................................ 166
4.5. Refugee-Local Populations Interface .............................................................................. 169
4.5.1. Language and Cultural Barriers.......................................................................... 172

Chapter Five: Refugee-oriented Organisations and Refugee Women’s Initiatives ....... 177
5.0. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 177
5.1. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Integration ........................................... 177
5.1.1. Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)................................................................................ 178
5.1.2. Peace-building, Healing and Reconciliation Programme (PHARP)................... 179
5.1.3. Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) .................................................................. 180
5.2. Government Agencies............................................................