The Living Conditions of Displaced Women in Darfur from the Perspective of Anti-Oppressive Practices in Social Work

Abstract

This article examines the oppressive practices faced by internally displaced women in Darfur, the inhumane conditions that result, and the forms of resistance women develop to counter these adversities. Grounded in the anti– oppressive practices framework in social work, the research draws on fieldwork conducted in three displacement camps–Abu Shouk, Zamzam, and Al–Salam. The findings reveal that oppressive practices perpetuate multidimensional poverty and inequalities in access to essential resources such as food, water, housing, education, and healthcare. Additionally, these practices contribute to physical, sexual, and psychological violence, as well as profound losses, leading to shifts in family roles, the erosion of family relationships, and the breakdown of support and protection systems. Despite these challenges, women employ various forms of resistance to navigate and combat these structures of oppression. These include fostering cooperation and solidarity, initiating youth– driven efforts, and prioritizing education as a means of quietly challenging and dismantling entrenched patriarchal power structures.