Cartography of damages and resistance: Migratory route of young women from West Africa to Europe

Abstract

The West African overland route to Europe has been linked to human trafficking. Along the migratory journey (which can last for years) young women experience serious episodes of violence, coercion, sale, and disappearance. Once at destination, they have to pay a very high debt (between 25,000 and 60,000 euros according to our field data) in conditions of exploitation, mainly sexual, but also labor. The silencing of women (narrative and bodily) is essential for this to take place. A fundamental objective of the project presented here is to support the young women’s processes of breaking silences without exposing them to risks or revictimization. Making use of the diverse tools offered by aesthetics, adopting the ethics of care, or recognizing the value of life experiences has been part of our work. Through this choral text, we assembled narrative remnants of women that represent their experience at different territories of the route. We have worked with them, we have followed their transits and tried to create discursive bridges. The continuous dialogue has sought to shed light on the damage of the road, but also on the resistance. This article collects some examples of the young migrant women’s confrontation with the imposed silences.