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Women in nation building

Breaking down barriers, building bridges

Bibliographic Data

ID12330255
AuthorsFunmi Abioye (0000-0001-6274-6308, Twitter (United States), corresponding author), Pam Nyawo
Year2020
Volume34
Issue4
Pages45-54
Publication date2020-07-08
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgenda (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1013-0950 • E-ISSN: 2158-978X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10130950.2020.1774399
OpenAlexW3040831931
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited10

The role of women in the public sphere in Africa has for long been one of restriction by virtue of society’s interpretation of power along gender lines. For long, society viewed power, authority and decision-making rites as connoting masculinity and maleness, thus excluding women in the exercise of these very important social rites. Particularly prevalent was the direct and indirect restriction (fencing-in) of women in matters of the state, political participation, and in setting and implementing nation building agendas. Over the years however, women have confronted these gendered restrictions through their activism and their political and social struggles geared towards ensuring social justice across all sectors of society. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of such women. As a feminist, novelist and author, she has been prolific in campaigning for gender rights and women’s empowerment that cuts across all spheres.This article examines and acknowledge the role played by this iconic African female figure through her works, and the impact she has had on challenging the status quo on gender issues, and on changing the narrative to ensure social justice for all. Using her writing as a powerful medium, she has been able to advocate against various forms of society-imposed restrictions on women and against forms of discrimination. As an influencer of note, she has sought to break down otherwise established psychological and sociological barriers, and to inspire young women like herself to push out against gendered restrictions, be it in politics or whatever sphere they may choose to function in. Adichie's work extends beyond the academic realm and this article focuses on her feminist political activism through her work. Her writings and collaboration with current pop culture shifted perceptions around feminism for African women and for those in the diaspora and, as such, we see her work as a feminism without borders

Empowerment · Masculinity · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Public sphere · Sociology · Status quo · Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality Studies · Gender Politics and Representation · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender Studies · Law

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    Christopher E W Ouma•Matatu•2014

  • Feminism

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  • The Problem of Speaking for Others

    Linda Alcoff•Cultural Critique•1991

  • African Women in Transition in The Novels of Buchi Emecheta

    Marie Umeh•Présence Africaine•1980

  • Globalization of the Local/Localization of the Global

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  • Womanism

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Citations per year0.25
Citation span2022 - 2022 (1)
Highly citedNo

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