Dr. Bencherif is a postdoctoral fellow in the Sahel Research Group at UF. His Baraza lecture on December 4, titled, “Tuareg Women in the Northern Malian Conflict: Ambivalence and Layers of Symbolic Violence” focused on the role women play in the Tuareg political landscape. Dr. Bencherif explained that in Tuareg societies there are two main spaces: the private space and the outside space. The private space refers to the tents in which the Tuareg live – this is considered to be controlled and dominated by women. In contrast, the men are said to dominate the outside which is seen as more dangerous. It is also believed that women operate as discrete political advisors to men as depicted in the Tuareg phrase, “What the braid says at night, the beard does by day.” Despite having influence, not many women are in elected positions. Dr. Bencherif argues this is because women are framed through specific activities like creating artisanal products (within the private space) and not participating in political positions (within the outside space). This reinforces economic disparities between genders because women are then limited to only private spaces.
He went on to discuss the historical tensions between the Tuareg and the central authorities in Mali and Niger. Most notably, a Tuareg armed rebellion and uprising that took place in the 90s. The unrest was in reaction to the political and economic exclusion of the Tuareg in affairs of the Malian state. Eventually a peace agreement was struck in 2015, but not all agreed. Tuareg women were unhappy with the agreement and began rebelling against men, particularly elite men.
Through his research and interviews, Dr. Bencherif found that women rebelled against the peace agreement partly because they were not included or consulted during the negotiations, but also because they linked it to a generational trauma. In the 1963 Tuareg revolt, women were persecuted and raped by the state. The stories of this tragedy have been passed down for generations. Despite this history, women are still perceived by elite men as “acting rebellious” without reason. Dr. Bencherif concluded his lecture by emphasizing the role of women in Tuareg rebellions and uprisings. They functioned as storytellers, musicians, fundraisers, mediators and more. They played an indispensable role in mobilizing their communities, most recently using Whatsapp. Many women understand their role as storytellers and political advisors in Tuareg society as extremely important to preserving their culture, however they are simultaneously reinforcing traditional roles of women limited to the private space.
Recap written by: Elisabeth Rios-Brooks