Afrocolombianas en Yantzaza: voces de esperanza desde la exclusión

Abstract

The current study took place at Yantzaza city, Zamora province. It aims to discuss new migratory realities in Ecuador. Studying experiences of Afro-Colombian women, both migrant and refugees. This research shows the social exclusion over black women, as a result of different social constructions. Despite this fact, it is also shown how hope arises in their daily struggle, their happy and extroverted way of acting, and their great determination. The stories of these women are interpreted through the theoretical view of the World System, and also from both, the transnationalism and postcolonial feminism theory. This theoretical framework allowed us to understand how the origin of the migration could be the inequality as a product of modernity and capitalism. The personal dimension is also important: international migration is an individual decision and could be influenced by the existence of transnational relationships. In the one hand, it is analyzed how the identity of the women is built during the migration journey. In the other hand, we discuss the social constructions that arise on the reception place. These social constructions are a determining factor of the experience, and on the human rights situation of each woman. It is fundamental to challenge stereotypes and conceptions as a turning point to create a social change.