Women’s solidarity as feminism in action: the concept of sisterhood (sororidad) in #LasRespondonas, a Facebook group in Peru

Abstract

ABSTRACT Women in Peru are exposed on a daily basis to gender violence and exclusion. Several feminist groups have used social media to share information, debate, denounce, organize, and provide help to victims. This study analyzes the meaning of female solidarity, sisterhood or sororidad (using the Spanish term), as a feminist political concept among members of one feminist Facebook group. We reviewed how various feminist and sisterhood concepts are clustered together in group communications by analyzing publications and comments and even interviewing key current and former group members. We find the concept of sororidad to be central to feminist practice as it is a bridge between theory and politics. Moreover, it is viewed as a kind of ‘internal repertoire’ of the feminist movement, as a way to interact with other movement members (or comrades, partners, or sisters).