This report explores the experiences of women and girls formerly associated with the Boko Haram factions in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria, and post-exit, as they navigate reintegration into civilian life. The findings are primarily informed by qualitative research conducted in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria between February and October 2024, including 183 interviews (84 women and 117 men) in the Far North region of Cameroon and the Lac Region of Chad and 20 focus groups (45 women and girls and 44 men and boys) in the North East of Nigeria.

Alongside the findings from qualitative research, the report also draws from data collected in multiple surveys conducted across the three countries between April and June 2024. Ultimately, the report seeks to provide much-needed nuance to the experiences of women and girls to inform prevention and reintegration programming to ensure that such programming is gender-sensitive and ultimately more effective at addressing the unique needs of women and girls formerly associated with Boko Haram.

 

Citation: Chitra Nagarajan, Francesca Batault, Siobhan O’Neil and Fatima Yetcha Ajimi Badu, “From Survival to Struggle: Women and Girls’ Experiences with and After Boko Haram," Findings Report 39, UNIDIR, Geneva, 2024, https://doi.org/10.37559/MEAC/24/10