Background
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been long been embroiled in a number of internal political and military conflicts that have led to the displacement of over 80,000 of its citizens into Cameroon. The Mbororo tribe, most severely affected by this upheaval, has sustained severe losses not only in their numbers but also in their quality of life, level of security and personal health. As they have attempted to flee this conflict, they have become targets of bandits, rebels and soldiers alike. In this setting, many women and children have become the targets of gender‐based violence.
About the Program
International Medical Corps (IMC) asked the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), a university‐based center that provides population‐based research support to humanitarian relief agencies operational in conflict‐affected areas, to assist their efforts under a UNIFEM grant. IMC is currently providing counseling and health services to survivors of gender-based violence in eastern Cameroon. HHI was asked specifically to conduct a population‐based assessment of women's health with an emphasis on the prevalence of GBV and domestic violence and its associated societal stigmatization, fears of abandonment and retaliation; the forced marriage of young girls; current reproductive health services; the perceptions of human security and livelihoods; education; household income; and household food security.
The initial assessment took place in June 2009. A total of 600 women from both Cameroonian and refugee households were surveyed. A majority of the refugees were Muslim, Mbororo and the vast majority of women in this region cannot read or write. The average age of marriage is 15. More than 60% of refugee women and about 35% of Cameroonian women went without food for at least one day during the month before the survey.
The prevalence of sexual violence uncovered in this household survey was 16%, although the actual number is likely to be 2‐3 times this number based on qualitative data. Most Cameroonian women who had been raped were raped by their husbands (78%), while the majority of refugees who admitted to having been raped were raped by a soldier or rebel (58%). Most of these attacks on both Cameroonian and refugee women occurred in the women's homes while they were sleeping.
Approximately 40% of all women surveyed admitted to having suffered non‐sexual violence, generally in their own homes. Qualitative data suggests that many men believe they have the right to beat their wives.
Current Research/Projects
A follow‐up evaluation, including a repeat population based survey of women in Djohong district, is planned for February 2010 to monitor GBV and livelihoods in this population and IMC's project outcomes.
Lead Researchers
Stephanie Rosborough, MD MPH
Parveen Parmar MD
Gregg Greenough, MD MPH
Pooja Agrawal, MD