The representation of refugees and migrants in the Instagram posts of UNHCR and IOM: an analysis from a decolonial feminist perspective

Abstract

The UNHCR and the IOM are two IOs that influence the global governance of refugees and migrants. Through Instagram, they can easily transmit their messages to the public by publishing images. Therefore, this research analyzes the way these organizations represent migrants and refugees, and the feelings they evoke, by adopting a decolonial feminist perspective. Results show that the gender of the individuals depicted in the post impacts how they are represented, but it does not have so much influence in the feelings evoked. The main individuals appearing in the photos are black women, whose specific marginalization due to the intersection of gender, race, class, etc. is overlooked. Furthermore, the posts usually present a single individual and try to appeal to compassion, and they evoke colonial and patriarchal discourses. Thus, there is the need to recognize horizontal differences and the agency of the individuals in order to promote more equality worldwide.