Legal protection of refugees with particular focus on women and children. A study of the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the level of protection extended to refugee r women and. children at the Kakuma settlement camp in Kenya. The main objective was to establish whether there are any mechanisms put in place to protect women and children at the Kakuma refugee camp. It was recognized that women and children refugees face many problems and are more vulnerable while in camps. It was therefore necessary to . establish whether the legal provisions and systems currently in place are adequate to offer them efficient and effective protection. The study was guided by the following research questions: I.What are some of the major problems affecting refugees Particularly women and children at the kakuma refugee camp? 2.What measures are being taken to protect this disadvantaged group of refugees from dangers within the camps? 3. What role is UNHCR and the Kenyan government playing In ensuring protection of the women and children refugees? 4.What should be done to ensure adequate security of refugee women and children at the kakuma camp? The study was premised on the hypotheses that the existing refugee law does not offer adequate protection to refugees particularly women and children. The findings revealed that women and children refugees suffer enormously from the point of determination of their re:t\tgee status, through their stay in the country of refuge and finally at the stage where durable solutions are sought. The findings further revealed that the level of protection at the camp is very low. There is no specified legal mechanism put in place to protect women and children. The refugees are even more vulnerable at the camp as cases of abduction and physical attacks are common. In conclusion, the study made recommendations to the effect that a legal framework should be set up at the Kakuma refugee camp. The framework should specifically be focused on protecting women and children as a special group at risk. It should be empowered legally to handle sensitive issues affecting women ranging from rape, physical abuse and abduction among others and offer them assistance to seek redress.