Political Transnationalism and Gender among Colombian Migrants in London

Abstract

Political participation among migrant communities and diasporas has received renewed attention recently, whether from a transnational or local integration perspective. However, research considering this in the context of Latin American migration tends to focus on Latinos in the United States. In contrast, little is known about this from a European perspective, despite the growing importance of Latin American migration to the region. A gendered approach to the study of migrants’ transnational politics has also only emerged more recently, with most studies emphasizing women’s lesser involvement. Empirically, although Latin Americans are currently one of the fastest-growing migrant communities in the UK, little is known about them (see McIlwaine this volume Section 2). This chapter focuses on the experiences of Colombian migrants in London, who represent one of the largest national groups within the wider Latin American community in the UK, and who play a prominent role in community initiatives, organizations, and businesses. The chapter draws on recently conducted research with Colombian migrants in the UK and Spain on the gendered nature of transnational political practices.