Diaspora African Women’s Network

By Semhar Araia
January 12, 2012

This was originally posted on the Royal African Society's African Arguments Diaspora Debate Blog. Readers are welcome to post their comments here. 


Beyond the broad categorizations of the African diaspora and rhetorical questions posed by Dele Fatunla in his blog post, “What’s Diaspora Got To Do With It?”, he raises an important and timely question about what role the African diaspora plays and should play in supporting Africa’s growth.

Fatunla correctly lists remittances, tourism and brain drain as areas where diaspora have proven to have a critical impact in Africa, albeit sporadic at times.  These are the most recognizable ways in which diaspora relate with Africa.  They are not comparable to the experience of day-to-day living in Africa, but as a member of the diaspora that once relocated to my ancestral homeland of Eritrea for two years and currently spends half my time on the continent, I know there are additional ways Africans abroad are making an impact in Africa.

Before we explore those examples, it’s worth noting that Fatunla fails to define who exactly the diaspora is within the context of his analysis.  It is overly simplistic and dangerous to suggest they are “a group of people who by and large fled the continent when it was most in need, and returned when it least needs them”. The diaspora must be disaggregated into its many parts and identify what contributions they actually are providing.

To begin, the “African diaspora” is not monolithic.  We are a diverse, multifaceted & multigenerational demographic spanning every continent and socioeconomic status.  There are exhaustive studies by the World Bank, Migration Policy Institute, DFID and countless NGOs exploring this definition.  Many diaspora left home or were raised abroad for a variety of reasons, including war, conflict, insecurity or the lack of economic opportunity.  Yet we remain connected with our homelands.  Others grew up abroad and maintained a relationship with the continent by any means, either through regular visits, community language school or establishing transnational business ties.  Even more significant however are the emerging diaspora youth leaders raised abroad and seeking to forge deeper relationships with their homelands, as will be revealed later in this piece.

The other shortcoming with What’s Diaspora Got to Do With It is that it falls completely short on recognizing the diaspora’s added value – which is far beyond economic remittances and sporadic tourism.  Even though remittances continue to be the largest form of diaspora contributions, amounting to roughly $40 billion a year to support livelihoods and development, it is not the only form of significant deliverables from diaspora.

The last decade’s sudden explosion of technology, social media and new models for change has resulted in more contributions from the diaspora, particularly around long term development and advocacy.  Here are just a few examples:

1.      Promoting development:  Through innovation, broad based networks, and tried and true outreach, diaspora are taking their love for Africa and applying it with ingenuity for good.  Diaspora entrepreneurs and organizations are widening spaces in the continent for African-led development and growth. Initiatives such asVillages in Action, Shea Yeleen, Sierra Visions, Face Africa, and Akili Dada are just a few of the successful diaspora efforts launched in Africa with local communities.  With each example, these organizations were founded by diaspora who arrived to the States at a young age, or were educated abroad, or were raised entirely abroad.  The new face of diaspora and development is continuing to change.

2.      Support for humanitarian emergencies: When disaster strikes, Africa’s greatest resource has consistently proven to be its people.  Diaspora groups are a crucial lifeline to access those in need, by sending messages and delivering help.  The current drought ravaging East Africa spurred Africans on the continent and abroad into action.  Within weeks, Kenyans, South Africans, Nigerians, the broader Horn of Africa diaspora and more helped to raise millions of dollars for relief.  Somalia’s famine motivated Somalis abroad to relocate and help people most in need.  Efforts such as the Global Somali Response is one of many incredible examples of partnership and support.  Again, another organization founded by a next generation diaspora leader.

3.      Building bridges between Africans & non-Africans: Africa is not bound by its borders.  As Nigerian-American journalist Dayo Olopade calls it, Africa is the “Bright Continent”. Its people are a rich source of energy, life and innovation.  They are the bridges between countries and continents.  By celebrating our rich cultural heritage, diversity and histories, relationships are forged with foreigners, including those unable to visit the continent themselves. Photos and stories are shared in the halls of the diaspora community center.  Myths are dispelled. Messages are conveyed. And stereotypes are broken.



4.      Adding new layers to the African narrative: Stories of Africa’s development and its needs must be told by those on the continent first, but diaspora do help facilitate those stories. They add a deeper layer to Africa’s story and are an asset.  As diaspora groups grow in presence and participation, so too will these narratives. In addition to storytelling, diaspora owned businesses, faith based groups, community organizations, youth associations, and private enterprises are eager to carry Africa’s message to newcomers and supporters alike.

5.      Helping to shape Western & regional foreign policy agendas and offering models of civic participation:  New advocacy groups, civic associations and diaspora networks have also flourished in the West, particularly around conflict resolution, networking and economic trade with the continent.  Assuming diaspora apply effective advocacy strategies, they can help shape foreign policy priorities and shift analyses for Africa’s betterment.  Governments, organizations and decisionmakers recognize this power and potential of the African diaspora. They understand that beyond their wallets, diaspora are legitimate stakeholders in Africa’s future.  The African Union has already declared the African diaspora as the Sixth Region of the AU.  The United States, United Kingdom, and various African countries have also created initiatives and opportunities to engage with diaspora directly.

I agree with Fatunla’s premise that more investment must be made in Africa’s leaders on the continent to create the next generation of Adichies, Okollahs, Iewalas, and yes The Elders.

But having worked for and traveled with The Elders myself, and having had the chance to learn from African leaders in the diaspora, I can personally attest to the power and notion of Ubuntu: I am because you are.  It is clear that diaspora have quite a lot to do with Africa because Africa has quite a lot to do with the diaspora.

Semhar Araia is founder & executive director of DAWN, the Diaspora African Women’s Network.

By Semhar Araia


I came across a headline today on the internet which pretty much sums up my problem with our current approach to International Women’s Day.  It read:  “A Day For Women”.   

As I looked for more, I found endless statements, press releases and speeches of women’s rights not yet achieved, or coverage that either highlighted the ongoing suffering and violence against women.  I also found laudable attempts for recognizing women’s triumphs and sources of inspiration, like The Guardian’s great list of the Top 100 women and Newsweek & Daily Beast’ 150 Women Who Shake The World list.

Well what does it mean to have a “Day for Women”? If that’s all we can come up with for one day, what does that say about the other 364 days when the rest of the world returns to their normal activities?  Can my gender’s accomplishments really be embodied and recognized in one day or in a list of names? 

The obvious answer is no.

International Women’s Day is today and every day.

Millions of women and girls around the world overcome unimaginable challenges of poverty, sexism, and injustice on a daily basis to fight for their rights.  Women are the first victims of conflict and insecurity, as evidenced by the stories of rape and gender-based violence in various parts of the world.  Yet as we've seen recently in Egypt, Cote D'Ivoire, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, these women are still strong enough to keep on fighting.  Some even manage to get an education or a a small loan to pick themselves and their families up out of poverty.

For those of us who are fortunate to live in peace, security and conflict-free environments, there are countless strides, contributions, and advancements being made at all various levels. Groups such as Solidarity for African Women’s Rights, Vital Voices, Femme Afrique Solidarite, My Sister's Keeper, Nobel Women's Initiative, Women for Women International, Women Inheritance Now Africa, Peace Women, NoWomenNoPeace and the African Women’s Development Fund are doing critical work everyday with partners throughout Africa and all over the world to advance women’s rights.  Also, the United States’ new Office for Global Women’s Issues in the State Department and the White House’s Council on Women and Girls signifies a growing trend from governments to incorporate gender justice and gender equality into their mainstream political agendas. 

Despite these success and achievements, the international community has yet to integrate notions of gender equality and justice into our everyday framework. If we are serious about putting women’s rights at the forefront of any agenda, then the language, tone and scope needs to change. And that starts with women.

As the motto of my organization, the Diaspora African Women’s Network, says, we believe that Change Starts with Women.  Women must use the great gift of fearlessness that we possess in everything we do.  We must own our stories, document them, share them and tell it to everyone we know. We must insert ourselves and lead in more conversations. We must expect more and explain to those in power how we want it done.

For real change, it requires the active participation, coordination and leadership from women and supporters of women's groups at all levels of society.  It requires diverse partnerships – not based on gender but based on equality.  It means exposure in media and on the web on a regular basis by all – through stories and narratives that show how women’s rights are everyone’s rights.

That was the first thing I learned as a child. It was my daily reality to see women pushing, owning and claiming for their independence, even when they weren’t given that power to do so.  My mother balanced a full time job, took care of the family, served as a leader in our community, and still managed to take care of herself through it all. She established her own business, met with elected US officials as a taxpaying American to seek their support for Eritrea’s thirty year struggle for independence, participated in local and national politics and still made time for my brother and I to have birthday parties, sleepovers and family visits.  She carried her voice as a woman, an African and a women’s health expert near and far.

So the sight of women, organizations, communities and leaders organized; demanding and expecting nothing short of justice and equality is exactly what the world needs to see and hear. 

To my sisters and supporters of women’s rights, expect more. Be fearless. And at all times, make yourself heard.

I will see to it that this is my mission 365 days of the year. 


Semhar Araia is the Founder and Executive Director of DAWN, the Diaspora African Women's Network.