Globalised Resistance and the Bring Back Our Girls Movement

This book uncovers how women’s movements in the Global South are changing the face of transnational activism in their mobilisations against militarism and conflict-related gender violence.

Drawing on the case study of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement established by Nigerian women for the rescue of Nigerian schoolgirls abducted in 2014 by violent extremist group Boko Haram, the book argues that BBOG is one of several emerging forms of transnational resistance in Africa that are breaking old moulds and forging new directions for social movements globally. The book argues that current research on social movements focuses too much on professional advocacy by formal civil society organisations and networks in the Global North. In doing so, it misses the increasingly spontaneous, mass-based protests initiated and led by Global South actors grounded in Global South contexts. Unpacking the workings of the BBOG movement, both internationally and regarding on-the-ground daily struggles in Nigeria, the book highlights their considerable implications for the practice and study of international politics.

This book is an important read for researchers of international relations, decolonisation, social movements, and transnational human rights activism. Activists and leaders of social movements will also find the policy implications highlighted by the book useful.