Saharawi women and their voices as political representatives abroad

Bibliographic Data

ID3979075
AuthorsSonia Rossetti (The University of Queensland, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume17
Issue2
Pages337-353
Publication date2012-03-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of North African Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1362-9387 • E-ISSN: 1743-9345
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13629387.2011.627772
OpenAlexW2019784920
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited15

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, invites all members States to introduce gender perspective in framing the re-building of post-conflict nations. The Resolution, stresses the importance to increase women's participation in all aspects of conflict prevention and peace keeping processes. This article looks at gender mainstreaming practices in political representation abroad introduced by the government-in-exile of the self-proclaimed Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Since Spain withdrew its colonial power from the Western Sahara's territory, and Morocco began its occupation, Saharawi men and women have been recruited by the liberation movement Polisario, as foreign representatives abroad. The National Union of Saharawi Women and the women's involvement in the camps' administration have been regarded by scholars and international observers as a distinctive feature of the SADR. In this paper, an ethnographical approach is used to look at Saharawi political representatives in Italy and Australia to examine whether a balanced gender representation in foreign representation can enhance interaction with international supporters. This study shows that women's participation in foreign representative's roles, especially in post-conflict scenarios, can improve third parties understanding of societal, cultural and religious differences of the country represented abroad. Hence, countries coming from post-conflict turmoil could benefit of greater international support if the participation of women could help overcome societal differences. I thank all Saharawi political representatives and Western Saharan support associations' representatives who informed this study. An appreciation also goes to Rebecca Albury and Charles Hawksley and the staff at the UOW's School of History and Politics. Notes For in-depth reading on the Saharawi political system, Es-Sweyih (Citation1998). The Saharawi people use the Algerian Dinars currency in the refugee camps. This physical currency is used in an exchange value which corresponds to the ancient Saharawi Dinar, officially called Saharawi Peseta. San Martin explains that the value of the Saharawi Peseta is based on the old Spanish Peseta which is estimated to be approximately 20 times less than the current San Martin, (2005). I was personally involved with the problem of buying Saharawi traditional goods in the camps when I was informed by Saharawi officials of the difference in value exchange. According to Shelley there are 20,000 to 30,000 Saharawi in Mauritania (Shelley, 2004, 130). Each of the four main camps, called wilaya, is divided into six or seven daira's (districts), which are further broken down in to four hays (neighbourhoods). In 2006, there were up to 81 countries that recognise the SADR Point of View, no date. Paesi che riconoscono la R.A.S.D. See the Point of view website. An up-to-date un-official list was published on the Saharawi website arso.org in 2009. Internal document delivered confidentially. In 1984 SADR was recognised by most African countries, therefore invited to join the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), today Africa Union. Mandela became a strong supporter of the East Timorese cause after he received a letter in 1994 from Gusmào. He wanted to congratulate him for the victory against apartheid. Mandela visited Xanana in prison in 1997 (Wise, Citation2004). APHEDA was created in 1984 as the overseas aid agency of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA was established to contribute directly to countries and regions of the world where men and women workers are disadvantaged through poverty, a lack of workplace, denial of labour and human rights, civil conflict and war

Conflict resolution · Democracy · Foreign policy · Framing (construction · Gender equality · Gender mainstreaming · Geography · Political science · Politics · Sociology · African Studies and Geopolitics · Gender Studies · Law · Multiculturalism, Politics, Migration, Gender · Peacebuilding and International Security

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