Changing place attachment and belonging among internally displaced women: Implications for durable solutions to displacement
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Date
2013
Authors
Azmil, F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
By drawing on the experiences of internally displaced women living in protracted displacement in two camps in Kalpitiya in the district of Puttalam, the study aims to interrogate the linkages between women, place attachment and belonging in the context of government initiated durable solutions to displacement issues. I researched forty women using questionnaires, formal and informal discussion. Their narratives reveal their place attachments towards places of origin and their belonging have become very fluid and complicated during the last two decades due to many factors including bitter experiences of living in protracted displacement, generation, standard of life back in their original villages and in camps, livelihood opportunities, social networks, safety and education. All these aspects are reflected when narrating their place attachment and belonging. The study concludes that IDP women are unable to resolve question in a uniform way regarding durable solution to displacement due to conflicting views over place attachment and belonging in the context of government promoted solution for displacement. Although, these differing views are negotiated at household levels and have become important in making a durable solution to displacement both at household and government levels, such views have not been heard or incorporated in finding a durable solution to IDP issues.
Description
Keywords
Women , Displacement , Place attachment , Belonging
Citation
Modern Sri Lanka Studies, 2013, IV(2), P 84-122