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The 'Arab Spring' as a Milestone in Feminist Performance

Abdelmoez, Joel W. LU (2024) In Milestones p.95-112
Abstract
This chapter explores feminist performances during and after the so-called Arab Spring, primarily focusing on Tunisia and Egypt. The Arab Spring stands as a distinct milestone demarcating a definite “before” and an “after.” As a pivotal event, it posed new challenges and contexts for feminist activists. While the toppling of old regimes initially held promises of ushering in a more open and liberated society, the aftermath often contradicted these aspirations, manifesting as escalated repression. Feminist organizations faced crackdowns with several groups enduring asset freezes or outright bans. Consequently, new modes of organization and feminist resistance emerged. Notably, this chapter examines the surge in significance of digital... (More)
This chapter explores feminist performances during and after the so-called Arab Spring, primarily focusing on Tunisia and Egypt. The Arab Spring stands as a distinct milestone demarcating a definite “before” and an “after.” As a pivotal event, it posed new challenges and contexts for feminist activists. While the toppling of old regimes initially held promises of ushering in a more open and liberated society, the aftermath often contradicted these aspirations, manifesting as escalated repression. Feminist organizations faced crackdowns with several groups enduring asset freezes or outright bans. Consequently, new modes of organization and feminist resistance emerged. Notably, this chapter examines the surge in significance of digital platforms for feminist activism. The role of social media, acknowledged for its influence in the initial successes of the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, underwent scrutiny, criticized for potentially undermining the valour of physical protests. However, the altered media landscapes in present-day Tunisia and Egypt compared to the pre-2011 era, remain undeniable. The uprisings catalysed not only a novel political milieu, but also imparted valuable lessons in effectively harnessing social media and digital tools for driving change. Beyond its undeniable importance, which paved a significant milestone, lay the lessons acquired in leveraging these technologies to bring about impactful transformations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Arab spring, feminist activism, performance studies, social media, social media activism, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
host publication
Milestones in Feminist Performance
series title
Milestones
editor
Afzal-Khan, Fawzia ; D'Urso, Sandra and Rosenberg, Tiina
pages
18 pages
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:85209855601
ISBN
9781032389929
9781032389912
9781003347897
DOI
10.4324/9781003347897-6
project
SWEMENA: Swedish Middle East and North Africa Network
The Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) 2.0
Feminist Activism in the Contemporary Middle East: Transnationalism, performances and repertoires of contention
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
21864d93-4a99-4e1d-94f3-7c57c0363347
alternative location
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/reader/read-online/881a68fe-338d-448d-a15a-78fa26d6cd9f/chapter/pdf?context=ubx
date added to LUP
2023-08-21 14:15:52
date last changed
2025-07-09 20:59:27
@inbook{21864d93-4a99-4e1d-94f3-7c57c0363347,
  abstract     = {{This chapter explores feminist performances during and after the so-called Arab Spring, primarily focusing on Tunisia and Egypt. The Arab Spring stands as a distinct milestone demarcating a definite “before” and an “after.” As a pivotal event, it posed new challenges and contexts for feminist activists. While the toppling of old regimes initially held promises of ushering in a more open and liberated society, the aftermath often contradicted these aspirations, manifesting as escalated repression. Feminist organizations faced crackdowns with several groups enduring asset freezes or outright bans. Consequently, new modes of organization and feminist resistance emerged. Notably, this chapter examines the surge in significance of digital platforms for feminist activism. The role of social media, acknowledged for its influence in the initial successes of the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, underwent scrutiny, criticized for potentially undermining the valour of physical protests. However, the altered media landscapes in present-day Tunisia and Egypt compared to the pre-2011 era, remain undeniable. The uprisings catalysed not only a novel political milieu, but also imparted valuable lessons in effectively harnessing social media and digital tools for driving change. Beyond its undeniable importance, which paved a significant milestone, lay the lessons acquired in leveraging these technologies to bring about impactful transformations.}},
  author       = {{Abdelmoez, Joel W.}},
  booktitle    = {{Milestones in Feminist Performance}},
  editor       = {{Afzal-Khan, Fawzia and D'Urso, Sandra and Rosenberg, Tiina}},
  isbn         = {{9781032389929}},
  keywords     = {{Arab spring; feminist activism; performance studies; social media; social media activism; Middle East and North Africa (MENA)}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  pages        = {{95--112}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{Milestones}},
  title        = {{The 'Arab Spring' as a Milestone in Feminist Performance}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003347897-6}},
  doi          = {{10.4324/9781003347897-6}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}