摘要：Ethnic sentiments are usually dictated by political and socio-economic factors and they derive from manipulation of minority interests and groups who are in the face of discrimination and marginalization jostle for attention and relevance within a geopolitical setting in a society. Most often, such political situation which promotes domination by one group and socio-economic subordination of another, usually results in ethnic crisis which arises from, and also leads to serious suspicion, anger, civil unrest, and sometimes war. It is not in doubt, that in times of ethno-political crisis and war, women and children are the main victims as they account for an estimated 80% of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. It is in view of this that this paper examines the politics of ethnic conflicts and discusses some of its painful outcomes, such as marginalization and dehumanization of women and children. The essay uses J. P. Clark＇s The Wives Revolt （1991） and Ahmed Yerima＇s Little Drops （2009） for illustration to point out the importance of democratic principles and increased representation of woman in governance and advocating against discriminatory policies in respect of women and children.