Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Marking International Women’s Day as refugees
Tens of thousands of exiled Saharawi women live in refugee camps in Algeria – but their hopes of achieving justice, peace and returning to their homeland remain undiminished, writes DANIELLE SMITH

“WE ONLY wish to have the right to exist, to decide our future and to return to our country to live freely without fear.”

These words have been ringing in my ears ever since I heard them uttered by Fatimetu Malainin, a Saharawi woman who was born in refugee camps in south-west Algeria where she has grown up. Now 27 years old, she is married with a second child on the way and teaches music to children in an after-school programme in Boujdour camp, where she also lives. The camp is one of five that currently house nearly 200,000 Saharawi refugees.

This year, along with tens of thousands of other Saharawi women, Fatimetu will once again be celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 in the harsh desert camps of her exile. For some of the women, it will be their 49th year. Despite all the time that has passed, they still hold on to the hope of achieving justice and peace and returning to their homeland.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
PAWNS IN A POLITICAL GAME: Migrants who crossed into Spain from Morocco sleep on a Ceuta beach, August 3 2026
Features / 6 August 2026
6 August 2026

CARLOS MARTINEZ shows how EU, Israel and US shenanigans were used in an attempt to destabilise Spain’s mildly socialist government

Ceuta
Features / 5 August 2026
5 August 2026

The border spat is a useful turning of the screw against Spain for US interests, says ROGER McKENZIE

President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House, May 27, 2026, in Washington
US / 24 July 2026
24 July 2026

Claiming to ease a fertiliser shortage, the Trump administration has suspended tariffs on Moroccan phosphate imports – deepening US support for the Morocco’s control over Sahrawi territory, writes LUKE ROTELLO

Palestine solidarity marchers in London on March 28
Features / 17 June 2026
17 June 2026

The struggle for Palestinian freedom has become a defining issue for everyone committed to justice, democracy and peace, says PETER LEARY ahead of the Stop the War International Conference on Saturday