Vi väcker så mycket uppmärksamhet, men vi är inte sedda! : En intersektionell studie om afrosvenska kvinnors erfarenheter på den svenska arbetsmarknaden

Sammanfattning

This research explores the experiences of Afro-Swedish women in the Swedish labour market, with particular focus on how the intersection of gender, race, and ethnicity affects their access to employment, career development, and upward mobility. Using a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews, the study examines both the structural and organizational barriers that Afro-Swedish women face in the workplace. The theoretical framework is grounded in intersectionality theory, combined with concepts such as racialization, structural racism, gender and racial stereotypes, microaggressions, and the double glass ceiling. Empirical data from interviews reveal that, despite the official discourse on equality, norms of whiteness continue to dominate in practice, particularly in leadership and power positions. The study highlights the phenomenon of “colour blindness,” which fails to recognize race as a category of social analysis, thereby contributing to the invisibility of racial discrimination experienced by racialized individuals. Despite these forms of oppression, the participants demonstrated exceptional resilience and described the strategies they use to continue their professional growth. This study contributes to the field of intersectional research in Sweden, particularly studies that focus on the intersection of social categories such as gender, race, and ethnicity. It aims to support a deeper understanding of how systems of dominance and marginalization persist in an environment that is officially committed to equality. The study points to the need for more sophisticated anti-discrimination policies that address not only gender equality, but also racial inequalities and power structures within the Swedish labour market.