Human Security for Internally Displaced Persons. The Case of the Phillippines

Abstract

During the post-Cold War era significant shifts in the international arena resulted in changing security perspectives; development of gender theory; and escalating internal conflicts which in turn increased the numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The theory of constructivism emerged in order to understand and explain these changes. Human security evolved as a security perspective placing individuals at its centre and still continues to address old and new threats. Pivotal to human security discourse is the argument that applying and integrating a gender perspective enables threats to both women and men to be considered. This thesis seeks to answer the following question: How could human security be incorporated in IDP policies to provide greater protection? International norms of human rights and humanitarian law have contributed to the debate concerning the relevance of human security. Cultural and social influences impact norms and the way in which the subjects of human security and gender are recognised and applied by states to the issue of IDPs. Drawing upon academic debate, norms, and international conventions and agreements, this thesis explores the subjects of human security, IDP protection, and gender. It focuses upon Filipino legislation and studies the conflict within Mindanao (the second largest island in the Philippines) in order to ground research and understand the practical application of human security to IDPs through a holistic constructivist lens.