Dehumanization Through Labor Exclusion: the Lack of Solutions for African Refugee Mothers’ Access to Employment in Greece

This thesis critically examines the labor exclusion of African refugee mothers within the Greek refugee system, emphasizing the dehumanizing practices perpetuated by the European humanitarian sector. Using Greece as a case study, the research explores how legal status, housing instability, childcare responsibilities, and societal attitudes act as barriers to employment for African women seeking asylum or refuge. Drawing on postcolonial and decolonial theory, the thesis argues that the humanitarian system's paternalistic structures contribute to the marginalization and dehumanization of these women, exacerbating their vulnerability and prolonging their dependence on aid. Through an analysis of data collected from the Meraki Center, an NGO that works as an information center in Athens, the study highlights the systemic failures in addressing the needs of African refugee mothers and challenges the prevailing narratives around refugee integration and employment access in Europe. The findings underscore the need for a rethinking of humanitarian approaches to better support sustainable livelihoods for marginalized populations, particularly single mothers of African origin.