INTRODUCTION AND THE STUDY BACKGROUND
1.7 Structure of Dissertation
This work comprises nine chapters:
Chapter One -Introduction
The chapter presents the study background, significance of the study, research objectives and their key research questions, problem statement, study rationale, and structure of the dissertation.
Chapter Two- Literature review and theoretical framework
In order to establish the study gap that the researcher intends to fill, extensive review of the existing works related to this work was done in congruence with the research questions. This chapter provides the literature related to Somali migration along the transnational space with the aim of locating the study gap. The review revolves around gender and migration in the context of Somali women within the transnational space.
I focus on the literature which relates to international migration, transnationalism, migration in the African context, migration to South Africa, Somali women migration to South Africa.
Chapter Three- Research methodology and methods
This chapter provides the approach used in carrying out the study with the aim of responding to the key questions that guides the study. The qualitative approach which befits the study is applied due to its nature of making meaning out of the given data.
This chapter also covers the data collection procedures, ethical considerations, the data analysis method and finally the limitations for the study. In order to understand the background of the research participants, the study looks at the demographic information of the participants.
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Chapter Four – Somali women migration into South Africa
This chapter examines migration of Somali women within the transnational space which is characterized by the interlocking social political and economic factors. The reasons for Somali women’s migration have been discussed.This chapter gives the contextual background of Somalia in order to understand the context from which Somali women originated. This chapter also discusses the expectations that Somali women had before and after coming to South Africa. The Somali women frustrations are also discussed.
Chapter Five- Negotiation of gender relations in the context of Xenophobia- Afrophobia in the transnational space
The transnational migration experiences have to an extent reconfigured redefined and reinforced the gender roles and gender power relations among Somali women living in Gauteng due to the pressing socio-economic demands. In this chapter, I explore the ensuing gender roles and power arrangements that continuously shape the identity of Somali women within the transnational space. This chapter discusses the shifting gender roles and the manner in which the Somali women negotiate gender power structures within the transnational space. Additionally, I look at the negotiation of gender related violence that impedes their livelihoods in the Gauteng province.
Chapter Six- Religion, language and race/ethnic identity in the context of Xenophobia-Afrophobia
In this chapter, I discuss how the Somali women negotiate religion, language and race in the context of Xenophobia-Afrophobia. Due to the fact that Somali religious identity cannot be separated from their culture, I discuss both factors in relation to each other in demonstrating how they enhance Xenophobia-Afrophobia among Somali women. Also, this chapter looks at the language which is a huge challenge in their negotiation of the space among the local community. Finally this chapter
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highlights the race that renders them vulnerable to Xenophobia-Afrophobia that manifests itself both overtly and covertly.
Chapter Seven- The coping mechanism in negotiating Xenophobia-Afrophobia complexities within the transnational space
This chapter sets out to discuss those strategies that the Somali women adopt in navigating the Xenophobia-Afrophobia experiences within the transnational space. In dealing with those complexities, women have the institutional mechanisms that include the Action Support Centre (ASC), South African Somali Women Network (SASOWNET), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), and the South African Somali Association (SASA).Besides the institutional mechanisms, Somali women redefine the livelihood and household coping strategies which are self-initiated as opposed to the above mentioned agencies. They have economic partnerships, business ethnic niches, narration of their life stories through institutions like the South African Somali Women Network platforms and counselling agents, women’s resilient nature that enables them to face the Xenophobia-Afrophobia challenges with fortitude, education which gives them hope for opportunities enables them to negotiate the transnational space perseveringly, diverse income sources to maximize their incomes. Also, the Somalis use marriage as a strategy to enable them to cope with the new environment of South Africa.
Chapter Eight- The disjuncture between international protocols, state policies and departments’ mandates and Somali women’s lived experiences.
This chapter discusses the national laws, and international protocols that are significant to this study that focuses on Somali women in the transnational space. This chapter unfolds with a focus on the Constitution of South Africa which is the highest law from which all policies governing state institutions are based. The South African Refugees Act, Universal Declaration on Human Rights for Refugees, the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of the Refugees the 1951 Refugees Act, the
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Convention for Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and OAU convention, are also discussed. In the light of these laws, I discuss how state institutions have been sites of covert Xenophobia-Afrophobia in Gauteng, thus contravening aforementioned laws.
Chapter Nine-Conclusion and recommendation
This chapter provides the synopsis of the entire work. The study findings for this work are discussed, in cognizance with the research objectives that the work sought to achieve. The contributions that the study brought forth to the knowledge base are presented. Finally, based on my study contributions and findings, I propose further recommendations that would continue this study.
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