The Unique and Shared Challenges Faced By Men and Women in a Lower-Income Country Refugee Camp

This research explores the unique and similar challenges that men and women face in refugee camps located in a lower-income country. By focusing on gender-specific experiences of refugees, the study aims to highlight how men and women navigate the hardships of camp life, including access to basic needs, psychological well-being, and coping mechanisms. Drawing on Viktor Frankl’s notion that “those who have a why, find a how”, the research seeks to understand the "why" behind refugee resilience, and how it shapes their survival and adaptation strategies.

The research employs a qualitative methodology, relying on semi-structured interviews with male and female refugees in Mahama Refugee Camp in Rwanda. Participants will be selected to provide a range of perspectives, with data being collected through digital interviews. The inductive approach will allow themes to emerge naturally from the interviews, rather than being driven by predefined hypotheses.

Data sources include primary interviews with refugees and secondary data from existing literature on gender and migration. Analytical tools will involve thematic analysis to identify patterns in participants' experiences and narratives, focusing on how gender influences their well-being and survival strategies.

The findings aim to provide a deeper understanding of refugee experiences in camps by offering insights into how men and women navigate the hardships of refugee life, revealing the role of cultural, social, and psychological factors in shaping their experiences. The findings aim to inform gender-sensitive policy interventions and humanitarian efforts in refugee camps in lower-income countries.