The 'Arab Spring' as a Milestone in Feminist Performance

This chapter explores feminist performances during and after the so-called Arab Spring, primarily focusing on Tunisia and Egypt. The Arab Spring stands as a distinct milestone demarcating a definite “before” and an “after.” As a pivotal event, it posed new challenges and contexts for feminist activists. While the toppling of old regimes initially held promises of ushering in a more open and liberated society, the aftermath often contradicted these aspirations, manifesting as escalated repression. Feminist organizations faced crackdowns with several groups enduring asset freezes or outright bans. Consequently, new modes of organization and feminist resistance emerged. Notably, this chapter examines the surge in significance of digital platforms for feminist activism. The role of social media, acknowledged for its influence in the initial successes of the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, underwent scrutiny, criticized for potentially undermining the valour of physical protests. However, the altered media landscapes in present-day Tunisia and Egypt compared to the pre-2011 era, remain undeniable. The uprisings catalysed not only a novel political milieu, but also imparted valuable lessons in effectively harnessing social media and digital tools for driving change. Beyond its undeniable importance, which paved a significant milestone, lay the lessons acquired in leveraging these technologies to bring about impactful transformations.