The impact of displacement on gender roles and relations: the case of IDPs from FATA, Pakistan

Abstract

As part of a 4-year thematic study of the potential contribution of multi-year humanitarian financing (MYHF) towards building resilience, Valid Evaluations has been undertaking primary research in Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Sudan to better understand what factors determine how well people cope with the difficulties of life. Unsurprisingly, gender power relations have been one of the most important factors in shaping individuals’ resilience in all 4 countries. It is natural to assume that the experience of crisis, and displacement in particular, would lead to changes in gender roles. Crises cause disruption to normal economic and other living conditions, while simultaneously disrupting the social structures (including family) that pass on and enforce social norms, creating opportunities for rapid change to take place in people’s roles. This seems an obvious topic for study, particularly for those interested in the well-being and resilience of those affected by crises and displacement. Surprisingly, such literature is hard to find. Valid Evaluations aims to contribute to filling this evidence gap with a case study into how displacement affected women’s roles among Afridi internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Khyber Agency who were displaced to Peshawar District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan. This report is part of ‘Building resilience and responding to crises in fragile and conflict-affected states: A thematic evaluation of DFID’s multi-year approaches to chronic/protracted humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan and Pakistan’ programme