Translate page with Google

Project August 3, 2020

Immigrant Women at the Front of COVID-19 Resistance in Buenos Aires

Country:

Author:

Braving the impact of a nationwide lockdown and an exponential growth in COVID-19 cases, immigrant workers in the Buenos Aires slums are surviving through self-organization and solidarity.

Against a backdrop of an already-shambling economy, the COVID-19 pandemic is pushing immigrant communities—mostly from Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay—to the edge since 58 percent of migrants have had no governmental aid or income since March 19, 2020.

Immigrants are core to Argentina and its history—at the turn of the 19th century, Argentina had the largest immigrant population after the U.S. And like in the U.S. currently, there is a growing anti-immigrant sentiment as evidenced by the government's tightening of migration policies and of some media coverage that serves to increase stigmatization.

To challenge these representations and raise awareness about the emergency, Anita Pouchard Serra is highlighting the strategies of two community organizations, "Migrar no es delito" (Migration is Not a Crime) and "Frente de Organizaciones en Lucha" (Front of Organizations) as they confront the crisis through collective and solidarity actions around health, housing, and food. She is focusing on the stories of women leaders in the Bajo Flores neighborhood, the biggest slum of Buenos Aires.

RELATED TOPICS

navy halftone illustration of a covid virus

Topic

COVID-19

COVID-19
navy halftone illustration of a female doctor with her arms crossed

Topic

Health Inequities

Health Inequities
teal halftone illustration of a family carrying luggage and walking

Topic

Migration and Refugees

Migration and Refugees
Three women grouped together: an elderly woman smiling, a transwoman with her arms folded, and a woman holding her headscarf with a baby strapped to her back.

Topic

Gender Equality

Gender Equality
navy halftone illustration of a group of pharmaceutical pills

Topic

Outbreaks and Epidemics

Outbreaks and Epidemics