EXPLORING THE DIGNITY AND WASH RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SELECTED IDP CAMPS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

In Nigeria, over 60 per cent of individuals in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are women and girls, who face severe vulnerabilities related to poor living conditions, particularly in terms of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) rights. Recognising WASH as essential for human survival, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) obligates states to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation for all, with a particular emphasis on women and girls. However, entrenched societal attitudes in Nigeria often regard female rights as secondary, thereby limiting their access to essential facilities, including WASH. Drawing from the perspectives of the diverse public sphere, this study uses feminist ideas to highlight the relationship between the perception of women's dignity and their access to WASH in IDP camps. By examining the lived experiences of women and girls in selected IDP settings in Nigeria, the study reveals that the neglect of women and girls WASH needs worsens their already vulnerable situation. The study concludes with recommendations aimed at bridging the identified gaps, advocating for a more inclusive approach to the provision of WASH facilities that prioritise the dignity of women and girls in IDP camps in Nigeria.