From displacement to empowerment: How women found their voice and claimed their power

Abstract

abstract The narrative on women within war and displacement contexts focuses a great deal on their vulnerability, presenting them as passive victims. This perpetual projection of women as victims of violence veils their capacity to take positive action, assert their power and claim agency over their lives. Based on research on the experiences and challenges of internally displaced women in the Bamenda subdivisions, North West Region of Cameroon, the feminist standpoint theory, and the capacities and vulnerabilities analysis framework, this article emphasises the importance of challenging dominant narratives that cast women as victims and passive recipients of aid, and spotlights their ability to survive in adversity. This research used a qualitative design, unstructured interviews, and content analysis with verbatim transcriptions. Findings indicate while in a new environment, displaced women develop relevant coping strategies over time, and some have a better life compared to that experienced before the move. Over 91% of respondents reported having ventured into income-generating activities, including small trading, house help, online marketing, baking and farming. Income generated is primarily channeled towards food, shelter, health and education for both women and their children, as some women have enrolled in school since being displaced to Bamenda. The study concludes that despite the challenges faced with displacement, the process provides exposure for displaced women, offering them a chance to rise above the limitations of cultural/social norms and practices, giving them a better chance of discovering and realising their dreams.