COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective
This study analyzes the experiences of urban refugee communities, more specifically, the challenges young South Sudanese refugees living in Kenya face. We divert from the comprehensive examination of refugees in camps to focus on urban youth amid Kenya’s refugee policy changes and the impact of the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of the Western Cape
2025-01-01
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| Series: | African Human Mobility Review |
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| Online Access: | http://www.epubs.ac.za/index.php/ahmr/article/view/2438 |
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| author | Cherie Enns Samuel Owuor Abbey Lin Kristin Swardh William Kolong |
| author_facet | Cherie Enns Samuel Owuor Abbey Lin Kristin Swardh William Kolong |
| author_sort | Cherie Enns |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This study analyzes the experiences of urban refugee communities, more specifically, the
challenges young South Sudanese refugees living in Kenya face. We divert from the
comprehensive examination of refugees in camps to focus on urban youth amid Kenya’s refugee
policy changes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of South Sudanese
community leaders, our study engaged 58 participants – 42 males and 16 females. Participants
engaged in semi-structured discussions about food security and other daily challenges related to
their urban refugee experience. This study draws on postcolonial feminist theory to contextualize
the gender-specific dimensions of food insecurity, centering analysis on discussing historical
power structures, migration patterns, urbanism theory, and geopolitical influences contributing to
the experiences of South Sudanese urban refugee youth in Kenya. Study participants, irrespective
of location, encountered corruption, limiting policies, and conflicting identity formation, with
women specifically highlighting self-identity, dignity, and family as critical to supporting their
resilience. Participants emphasized the impact of COVID-19 on community cohesion, particularly
in shared meals. However, their agency was hindered by movement restrictions, invisible fences,
or barriers exacerbated by unequal support and aid distribution. The research advocates for the
formulation of clear African contextualized urban-based policies and migration systems that
prioritize the needs of urban refugees, safeguarding their rights and upholding human dignity.
Collaborative engagement with all stakeholders within local communities, especially youth
refugees, is necessary to develop effective urban policies that promote stability, economic
advancement, and social integration.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9b3bdf3755c442bd830b9cb08d57dad7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2411-6955 2410-7972 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | University of the Western Cape |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Human Mobility Review |
| spelling | doaj-art-9b3bdf3755c442bd830b9cb08d57dad72025-01-20T22:25:40ZengUniversity of the Western CapeAfrican Human Mobility Review2411-69552410-79722025-01-0110310.14426/ahmr.v10i3.2438COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist PerspectiveCherie Enns0Samuel Owuor1Abbey Lin2Kristin Swardh3William Kolong4Department of Planning, Geography, and Environmental Studies, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, CanadaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, Nairobi, KenyaUniversity of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Canada University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, CanadaPan Aweil Development Agency, Juba, South Sudan This study analyzes the experiences of urban refugee communities, more specifically, the challenges young South Sudanese refugees living in Kenya face. We divert from the comprehensive examination of refugees in camps to focus on urban youth amid Kenya’s refugee policy changes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of South Sudanese community leaders, our study engaged 58 participants – 42 males and 16 females. Participants engaged in semi-structured discussions about food security and other daily challenges related to their urban refugee experience. This study draws on postcolonial feminist theory to contextualize the gender-specific dimensions of food insecurity, centering analysis on discussing historical power structures, migration patterns, urbanism theory, and geopolitical influences contributing to the experiences of South Sudanese urban refugee youth in Kenya. Study participants, irrespective of location, encountered corruption, limiting policies, and conflicting identity formation, with women specifically highlighting self-identity, dignity, and family as critical to supporting their resilience. Participants emphasized the impact of COVID-19 on community cohesion, particularly in shared meals. However, their agency was hindered by movement restrictions, invisible fences, or barriers exacerbated by unequal support and aid distribution. The research advocates for the formulation of clear African contextualized urban-based policies and migration systems that prioritize the needs of urban refugees, safeguarding their rights and upholding human dignity. Collaborative engagement with all stakeholders within local communities, especially youth refugees, is necessary to develop effective urban policies that promote stability, economic advancement, and social integration. http://www.epubs.ac.za/index.php/ahmr/article/view/2438migration, agency, sanctuary cities, postcolonial feminism, African urbanism |
| spellingShingle | Cherie Enns Samuel Owuor Abbey Lin Kristin Swardh William Kolong COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective African Human Mobility Review migration, agency, sanctuary cities, postcolonial feminism, African urbanism |
| title | COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective |
| title_full | COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective |
| title_short | COVID-19’s Impact on Food Security among Urban Refugee Youth in Kenya: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective |
| title_sort | covid 19 s impact on food security among urban refugee youth in kenya a postcolonial feminist perspective |
| topic | migration, agency, sanctuary cities, postcolonial feminism, African urbanism |
| url | http://www.epubs.ac.za/index.php/ahmr/article/view/2438 |
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