The Protection of the Rights of Women Refugees in Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT

This study explores the social construction of women refugees from the perspective of their human rights. To this end, this study examines the development of women refugees’ rights as a category within the human rights discourse. The main assumption of the study is that promoting and improving refugee women’s sexual, reproductive health and other rights in Uganda will contribute to their livelihood security in camps. Refugee women’s special needs are particularly related to the background of forced migration and their situation in the host country. In this context, the study looks at the vulnerability of women refugees and identifies barriers that prevent them from getting access to affordable and acceptable sexual or reproductive health and other services. Refugee health is not only a public health and human rights issue, but is also recognized as an important factor for integration. The study also looks at the legal framework for the protection of refugee women’s rights and makes findings as to whether the implementation policy has been beneficial to them. Important to note, is the rights based approach that should be observed in Uganda’s legal system, policies and guidelines.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration A ii

Declaration B iii

Approval sheet iv

Dedication v

Acknowledgment vi

Table of Contents vii

List of Acronyms x

List of Statutes xii

List of Cases xiii

Abstract xiv

Chapter one THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

LU General Introduction 1

L2 Statement of the problem 2

1.3 Purpose of the study 3

1.4 Research of objectives 4

1.5 Research questions 4

1.6 Scope 5

1.7 Significance of the study 5

Review of related literature 7

1.8 Introduction 7

Methodology 13

1.9 Research design 13

1.10 Research population 13

1.11 Sample size 13

1.12 Sampling procedure 14

1.13 Study instrument 14

1.14 Data gathering procedures 15

1.15 Data analysis 15

1.16 Limitations of the study 15

Chapter two: THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN REFUGEES IN KAMPALA 16

2.0 General Overview of Human Rights 16

2.1 Historical Evolution of Gender Rights 20

2.2 The Development of Humanitarian law in respect to Refugee law 28

2.3 Uganda and Refugee Issues 35

2.4 Rights of Women Refugees 38

Chapter three: THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAME WORK FOR REFUGEE PROTECTION IN UGANDA 47

3.1 The Role of UNCHCR 51

3.2 Specific Challenges to Refugee Protection in Uganda 59

Chapter Four: WOMEN REFUGEES IN KAMPALA; EXAMINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW 63

Chapter five: Conclusion and Recommendations 71

Conclusion 71

Recommendations 74

Bibliography 76