African Women's Struggle Against Patriarchy: Challenging the 'Un-African' Narrative of Feminism

This paper critically examines the assertion that feminism is a Western import and incompatible with African cultures by demonstrating that African women have participated in activism and liberation struggles prior to the emergence of the term ‘feminism’. Although the term ‘feminism’ did not originate within African societies, it was subsequently adopted to describe these longstanding struggles. Through historical analysis and a review of existing literature, this study highlights that pre colonial African societies often afforded women considerable autonomy and leadership, which were later diminished by colonial and post-colonial patriarchal systems. The marginalisation of African women across the political, legal, and economic spheres is analysed alongside the resilience and resistance of some women’s movements prior and during colonisation. Drawing on evidence from various scholars, the paper demonstrates that women’s struggles for rights are not a recent phenomenon introduced by Western women, but are deeply rooted in African societies. The argument that labels feminism as ‘un-African’ erases African women’s experiences, and perpetuates patriarchal oppression. This study contributes to the existing literature by refuting claims that feminism is un-African, anti-men, disruptive, or a threat to African families; and affirms the significance of African feminism in addressing contemporary gender inequalities.