Forced migration and sexual abuse: experience of Congolese adolescent girls in Kigeme refugee camp, Rwanda

Abstract

<b>Background</b><br /> This study deals with the link between forced migration and sexual abuse, with a special focus on adolescent girls. Existing literature associates forced migration with sexual abuse and identifies adolescent girls as the most vulnerable. However, little is known about the situation of sexual abuse among Congolese refugees in Rwanda since their arrival in 2012 due to the conflict between Congolese government forces and the M23 rebel group. This study was initiated to explore the situation of sexual abuse of Congolese adolescent girls in Kigeme camp and to suggest remedial strategies.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescent girls. Interviews also involved parents, boys, camp authorities, and neighbouring citizens.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> The findings show that rape, unwanted physical touching, sexual exploitation, commercial sex, early marriage and girl trafficking are the main forms of sexual abuse. These are facilitated by the miserable life in the camp, shortcomings in the camp layout and security system, and adolescent developmental stage. They negatively impact girls’ reproductive health, social integration and mental health.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> Existing strategies to address sexual abuse in the camp have had positive but insufficient results, and thus need to be improved and reinforced. Improvement is suggested in the areas of the abuse reporting system, the camp layout and security system, involvement of men and youth, and the consolidation of anti-GBV (gender-based violence) clubs.

‘They are a shame to the community … ’ stigma, school attendance, solitude and resilience among pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers in Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda

“…Adolescents and youth form the majority of these refugees. Previous research among refugee youth has documented sexual and reproductive health and rights challenges faced by teenage girls (Iyakaremye & Mukagatare, 2016;Williams et al, 2018), similar to those I found among Burundian teenagers in Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda. But to my knowledge there is no similar study focusing on pregnancy among Burundian teenagers in Mahama refugee camp.…”

A cross-sectional mixed-methods study of sexual and reproductive health knowledge, experiences and access to services among refugee adolescent girls in the Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda

“…Adolescent girls also reported cases of forced and transactional sexual intercourse. Such cases were also described by Iyakaremye et al, 2016 in their qualitative findings in a refugee camp in Rwanda [31]. The proportion in our study was higher - 36.6% forced intercourse and 23.4% transactional intercourse among sexually active girls, than that reported in the study by Harrison et al, 2006 performed in Uganda – 5 and 10% accordingly [22].…”

A Systematic Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge, Experiences and Access to Services among Refugee, Migrant and Displaced Girls and Young Women in Africa

“…From 960 records, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. They were conducted in nine African countries which included Uganda, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Somalia, Kenya, Nigeria, Djibouti, Rwanda and Sierra Leone [ 6 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. These consisted of eight applied qualitative, five quantitative and two mixed-method study designs.…”

“…Adolescent girls in humanitarian settings experience increased exposure to early and forced marriage, coerced sex and early childbearing, as well as increased risk-taking associated with gender roles in family circles [ 5 ]. The girls in refugee camps are also vulnerable to sexual exploitation and trafficking [ 6 ].…”