From Hope to Fear: The Realities Faced by African Women in Russian Drone Production
Adau, a 23-year-old woman from South Sudan, recalls her first day at work in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia, where she was promised a stable job. Instead, she found herself in a factory producing drones, entangled in a series of deceptions regarding the nature of her employment.
Initially lured by the Alabuga Start programme targeting young women across Africa and beyond, the reality of working in weapon production dawned on her only after arriving in Russia. Despite the program's claims of offering educational opportunities in fields like hospitality and logistics, many recruits, like Adau, unexpectedly ended up engaged in tasks linked to military applications.
As the situation unfolded, allegations surfaced regarding the program's questionable recruitment practices, lacking transparency in job opportunities provided to these women. They faced not only hazardous working conditions but also limited pay that shattered the hopes many had when enrolling.
In a troubling account, Adau describes her harrowing experience working in the drone production facility, revealing the harsh reality behind recruiting schemes that target vulnerable populations seeking better prospects abroad.
Adau ultimately decided to leave her position, even after enduring various hardships, including chemical burns from the materials she handled. The physical and emotional toll of her work, compounded by the specter of drone strikes in the region, left her yearning for a return to her life before this unsettling journey.
