Happy IWD NOK VIEWERS
In Celebration of IWD, an excerpt of a chapter from a new book titled ” What Should Women Want? Before and Beyond ” edited by Sharon Adetutu Omotoso and Mutiat Titi Oladejo. 2019
The book publication is in commemoration of WORDOC’s 30th Anniversary.
The book is rich with knowledge and talks about different issues women face from cultural issues to health, sexual and reproductive issues, covering topiics from women in politics, development and socio-economic issues and also peace and conflict issues to mention a few. It is a book everybody should own and make references to.
The chapter which this take its excerpt from is Chapter One titled
Through Historical Lens: The changing Status of Women in Post-Colonial Africa by Oliseh KAdishi Ndudi
Black Women all over the world should re-unite and re-examine the way history as portrayed us.
Buchi Emecheta
As History was, and still is, a dynamic reality,[1] so is the status of women in Africa. Thus through series of studies, it can be concluded that in Africa and the world, the status of women is dynamic; it changes every passing time. From earliest times, women were considered as marginal members of the society and in relation to Africa, scholars have observed that the period after colonial rule shows that status, contribution and activities of women have come into lime light despite these changes women are still faced by historical issues. Due to this observation, this paper seeks to discuss the historical issues and also deliberate the changing status of women in Post-Colonial Africa. This paper will first clarify the several concepts and then examine the changing status of women in Post-colonial Africa, the activities (political, social, economic, education, religious etc) as well as the status of women in Pre-colonial and Colonial Africa. This paper shall also examine the reason for these changes, challenges women face despite these changes as well as the roles of men in the changing status of women in Post-Colonial Africa. It is a focus of this paper to discuss some strategies for achieving gender equality despite the persistence of historical issues would be conferred.
It has been observed that women, most importantly women in Africa have been facing numerous challenges. These are the persistent evidence of historical issues which have become a great challenge to women and the society at large.This includes the evidence of gender discrimination in all spheres politically, economically etc., which in a way have impeded growth and development in all ramifications.
Patriarchal alliance, domination and resistance were a major problem faced by women. Men want to be in charge all the time and because of the changes which status of women have become a threat as women have begun occupancy of spaces, once occupied by men. This was evident in gang rape of females and stripping of women who dare to step outside the bounded notion of cultural decency,[1] in places like South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda etc.
An important challenge faced by women is the cultural practises and restriction that are not friendly to the African women. A good example can be seen in the widowhood practices. These practices vary in different countries, some of which involve terrible exercises that are detrimental to a woman’s health physically, mentally and psychologically. An example is the case of women being asked to drink the water that was used to clean their dead husband’s body.
Another challenge which has plagued women even from the pre-colonial time is the idea of women as house wives with the duty to procreate. The idea of procreation was imported from Victorian England to Africa. Despite the fact that it is old, it is still practised in African societies and has thus undermined women productivity, at the detriment of women and the continent at large.[2]
Another problem faced by Africa women is little or no involvement in political practises and participatory governance. Despite some visible evidence of women participation in African countries, it is recorded that women are still not involved in governance. This is what women emancipation activists are fighting against.
More so, other factors affecting the changing status of women is the strength of traditional religious sentiment such as African traditions, conservative Christian, Hindu, Muslim movements to mention a few.[3] Poverty, poor health, diseases are challenges that have affected Women activities in development despite the changing status.[4] Other challenges faced by women include male domination, colonial experiences etc[5]
The list of historical issues mentioned above is still a persisting challenge. The challenges have evolved with new a challenge which undermines the achievement of such as Intra-gender conflict. This is a conflict between women, what is popularly known as women against women.
For more information of the above, get the book titled “What Should Women Want? Before and Beyond ” edited by Sharon Adetutu Omotoso and Mutiat Titi Oladejo. WORDOC, 2019.
Oliseh, Kadishi, Ndudi, 2019, Through Historical Lens: The changing Status of Women in Post-Colonial Africa in What Should Women Want? Before and Beyond ” Sharon Adetutu Omotoso and Mutiat Titi Oladejo (eds), WORDOC, Ibadan . pp3-24 .
[1] Patricia Mcladden, 2005, Becoming Post-colonial: African Women changing the meaning of citizenship, Meridians, Vol6, No1,Indiana University press. Pp3, 12-14
[2] Upokolo C. and Familusi O.O, 2010, Gender and African culture and civilisation in African culture and civilisation. Victor Edo and Familusi O.O (eds), , Ibadan. C.G.S, U.I pp146-147
[3] Jan Palmowski 2008. Dictionary of Contemporary World History….. p733
[4] Olurunbunmi, B. 2015 Beijing 1995: Its challenges to women and Development in Africa in Women in development. Ajayi S.A and Ayantayo J.K (eds),Ibadan: John Archers publishers limited p 403-405
[5]Anifowose, R. 2004, Women political participation in Nigeria…. p211-213
[1] Arifalo S.O. 2002. Historical Consciousness in Pre-literate Nigerian societies in Reading In Nigerian History and Culture Ajayi S.A and G.O Oguntomisin (eds), Ibadan, Hope Publication Limited. p25
