South–South symbolic transnationalism: echoing the performance ‘A Rapist in Your Path’ in Latin America

Abstract

ABSTRACT Studies on transnational social movements rarely acknowledge mobilising that is not polity-centred and that does not target policy change. This article draws attention to rising forms of transnational feminist movements in Latin America that represent an alternative to traditional institution-centred activism. In contrast, symbolic transnationalism arises as non-traditional forms of transnational mobilisation that focus on conveying symbolic political messages through performances, among other strategies. The spread of the performance ‘A Rapist in Your Path’ is analysed as an instance that showcases this novel type of symbolic transnationalism in Latin America. The widespread representation of this performance reflects how feminist groups share a struggle in which the fight against gender violence is one of the most prominent grievances. This viral phenomenon also reflects a growing sense of collective transnational identity based on a shared critical stance towards dominant power structures that reproduce gender violence: mainly the state, but also the church and the family, among others.