Pratiche di cittadinanza. L’associazionismo migrante femminile nel napoletano

Seeking Better Life Chances by Crossing Borders: The Existential Paradox and Strategic Use of Italian Citizenship by Migrant Women

“…To reconstruct their biographical path, both individual and organizational, the leaders were met several times. From the biographical interviews, it emerges that most of the immigrant leaders have several characteristics in common: (1) a considerable number of years of stay in Italy; (2) an in-depth knowledge of the area; (3) a close network of relationships with natives who operate in the field of local immigration and who act as facilitators in accessing Italian institutions; in many cases, this includes a relationship with an Italian man; and (4) the foundation of her own association took place after at least ten years of settlement (Gatti 2016). For those who did manage to obtain Italian citizenship, it happened after almost twenty years of settlement (despite the required number of years being a maximum of ten in the case of non-EU citizens).…”

“…Farhio's case is also atypical because, despite being part of a first nucleus of associations born in Naples in the second half of the 1990s, 12 the associations she founded and led share a number of traits with younger foundations born after 2010. More specifically, the uniqueness of the individual path of their leaders (Gatti 2016) who is capable of interacting with local institutions while being supported by natives in the key roles of organization's activities (Saggiomo 2019). Among the main purposes of Farhio's association were the integration and social participation of migrants, the enhancement of the culture of origin, the fight against discrimination, legal protection, administrative assistance in the workplace and healthcare system, and intercultural mediation.…”