Voices of Sahrawi Women in the Diaspora: Building Bridges and Tearing Down Walls to Reach Every Corner of the Globe. Their Contribution to Peacebuilding in the Digital Era.

Arribas Sebastian, Ana

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2021

2021-05-27

Vestsaharas kamp for uafhængighed er i årtier blevet overset, og det er svært at få den frem i lyset. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan sahrawiske kvinder i diasporaen i Spanien deltager i fredsopbygning gennem online aktivisme. Undersøgelsen bygger på interviews med nøglepersoner, analyse af opslag på sociale medier samt en litteraturgennemgang og flere teoretiske tilgange. Analysen peger på tre hovedfund. For det første fører kvinderne en tydelig feministisk diskurs, hvor de bruger velbegrundede argumenter og teori til at underbygge deres krav. For det andet viser de deres engagement ved at sprede viden i deres nye hjemlande og dermed modvirke misinformation og bryde den informationsblokade, der kan præge digitale medier. For det tredje er de med til at skabe en fælles oplevelse af fællesskab baseret på ligestilling, selv om de møder hård intern kritik for at udfordre strukturel undertrykkelse og også må håndtere modstand udefra. En vigtig strategi for at imødegå denne fjendtlighed er gensidig støtte og søstersolidaritet. Samlet set viser specialet, at sahrawiske kvinder i den spanske diaspora deltager i den offentlige debat via online kanaler og på den måde bidrager til politisk fortalervirksomhed og til at bygge et mere lige samfund som grundlag for bæredygtig fred. Emner som intersektionalitet (hvordan forskellige former for diskrimination overlapper), sisterhood/søstersolidaritet, kolonialisme og identitet er centrale for at skabe en fælles forståelse af kønsligestilling i den sahrawiske befolkning, opnå international opbakning og fremme bæredygtig fred i Vestsahara.

Western Sahara’s struggle for independence has long been muted, and making it visible remains difficult. This thesis examines how Sahrawi women in the diaspora in Spain contribute to peacebuilding through online activism. The study draws on interviews with key informants, analysis of social media posts, and a literature review combined with multiple theoretical approaches. The analysis highlights three main findings. First, these women advance a clear feminist discourse, using strong arguments and theoretical grounding to support their claims. Second, they demonstrate commitment by sharing information in their countries of settlement, countering misinformation and helping to break an information blockade on digital platforms. Third, they help build a shared sense of community around gender equality, even as they face sharp internal criticism for challenging structural systems of oppression and encounter external hostility. Mutual support and sisterhood are key strategies to address this hostility. Overall, the thesis shows that Sahrawi women in Spain’s diaspora take part in public debate through online channels, contributing to political advocacy and to building a more equal society as a foundation for sustainable peace. Topics such as intersectionality (how different forms of discrimination overlap), sisterhood, colonialism, and identity are central to creating a shared understanding of gender equality within the Sahrawi community, gaining international support, and advancing sustainable peace in Western Sahara.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

Western Sahara ; women ; diaspora ; peacebuilding ; gender equality ; online activism

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Arribas Sebastian, Ana:

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