GENDER AND AGENCY IN MIGRATION PROCESSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAHRAWIS MIGRATING TO SPAIN

 

 

Duration: 2021-2022 (24 months)

 

Funding: National Science Centre

 

Project: nr 2020/37/N/HS3/01234

 

Project coordinator: Marta Kluszczyńska

 

 

 

The main research problem of the study is the question of gender and agency in the migration processes on the example of the migration of the Sahrawi refugees. The research is based on the theoretical discussion on structure and agency, and findings of gender and refugee studies. Ethnographic research will be conducted using the method of multi-sited ethnography in the key places of residence and migration of Sahrawis in Spain. Additional expert interviews will take place in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria.

 

The situation of Sahrawis is described as one of the examples of the population in the protracted refugee situation. From the beginning of the Western Sahara War (1975), the majority of the population has lived in exile in refugee camps in Algeria. From the middle 1990s, we can see a noticeable increase in the number of Sahrawis migrating to Spain. Spain is chosen by Sahrawis not only because of the geographical proximity but mostly due to (post)colonial ties: Spanish is the second official language of SADR in exile, and Spanish civil society is the most active actor of grassroots humanitarian aid in refugee camps in Algeria.

​

​

​