Refugees

/ˌrɛfjʊˈdʒiːz/ noun

Definition

people forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or disaster

Etymology

French réfugié 'taken shelter'

Kelly Says

Refugees seek safety when home becomes a place of danger, not love and care!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Refugee discourse often erases women's agency and specific vulnerabilities (sexual violence, trafficking, exploitation in camps). International policy has historically prioritized male-headed households, making women invisible.

Inclusive Usage

Recognize gender-specific displacement impacts; disaggregate data by gender; center refugee women's voices in solutions, not just victimhood.

Empowerment Note

Refugee women have led community organizing, advocacy, and resettlement; women-led organizations provide protection and leadership models often absent from formal humanitarian structures.

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