African Women and Independence

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the struggle for gender equality and the freedom from societal constraints is a task faced by most women all around the world and how this struggle is made more complex in Africa, where women are still "colonized" by customs and religious beliefs that stipulate their role in a male-dominated society. It looks at how, after colonialism, African women found themselves in a more backwards situation in terms of their rights and how the post-colonial state of Africa has witnessed both the advancement and limitation of women in the political, social, and economic sectors.

From the Paper:

"Although African women continue to make solid progress in becoming part of the political scene, there are limitations associated with this progress. More African women are beginning to enter the political landscape and are making great strides in influencing policies that favors the advancement of women. Recently, an African woman named Wangari Maathai who is Kenya's assistant environment minister made history when she won the Nobel peace prize, depicting the great potential of the African woman. As Nakazael Tenga and Chris Peter's article indicates, political parties were formed in the years following independence that acknowledged the efforts of women throughout the continent. Organizations like the UWT in Tanzania were created to unite all women while voicing their concerns regarding political issues."

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