The Emancipation of Women

by Florence Abena Dolphyne

A former head of the Ghana National Council of Women and Development here explains, from her experience in Ghana and other parts of Africa during the UN Decade for Women, what she believes women's emancipation means to women in Africa. Although discrimination against women is worldwide, she believes that because of differences in social, educational and cultural backgrounds, women have differing perceptions of the meaning of emancipation. She discusses pertinent issues such as traditional beliefs and practices which keep women subjugated, including bride-wealth, child marriage, polygamy, purdah, widowhood, inheritance of property, fertility and female circumcision. She also examines specific women-in-development activities, and the role of governmental, non-governmental and inter- governmental organizations.

124 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 1991

Reviews

[Malica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry

[Aisha (thatothernigeriangirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete emancipation, like perfection, is something everyone yearns for but in refusing to fully embrace our diversity as humans, we may have refused to acknowledge the disparity in our desire for complete emancipation and its execution.

In the introduction to this book, Florence Abena Dolphyne discussed the polarization of positions held by women from the western world and African women on issues regarding women emancipation especially in African societies. As expected, the differences resulted into an Us-versus-Them situation. In subsequent chapters, FAD thoroughly explained why the tactics employed in Western societies, particularly passing bills and legislations, won’t yield adequate solutions to the issues faced in African societies.

Although this book was published almost 30 years ago, most (if not all) of the solutions FAD suggested would still very much further the cause of women emancipation in African societies today. The contribution rate of increased education of women to the cause alone validates most of the solutions she proffered. FAD’s writing was also well-executed, despite the gazillion points and case scenarios she included. Not once did I get a sense that she lost her point or went off topic. I’m impressed by her ability to find a balanced ground in praising and criticizing different African countries while acknowledging the diversity on the continent.

This is not to say I find all her views appealing: for example, there was a part where she wrote that she doesn’t consider herself a ‘feminist’ because the term, for her, “evokes the image of an aggressive woman who speaks for both women’s educational and professional rights and their right to practice prostitution and lesbianism.” But to be fair, she wrote the book 30 years ago and I’ve read some articles that pointed to the fact that a lot of African female activists preferred the term ‘womanist’ to ‘feminist’ because of the sentiments the latter evoked in their time.

Definitely worth every 4 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 I gave it, although I think FAD didn’t take into consideration the effects of corruption (in governments, organizations and individuals) while proffering solutions, especially as regards the economic and educational empowerment of the average African woman. However, I’m glad that she called out the inequalities inherent in trade relations between African and industrialized countries.