This discussion paper on African feminism stems from a med-term monitoring and evaluation survey of the Canadian Government funded Women Voice and Leadership (WVL) Programme grantees. The Fund was set up as part of the Canadian government’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, which targets gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls around
Is discomfort with/ rejection of the term ‘Feminism’ about ideological differences, or is it a matter of language? Is feminism Un-African? What does feminism look like in South and Southern Africa – where do we sit on the spectrum? If not the term feminism, then what? What does Feminism look like in the
With the growth of feminist organizations across the continent led by young women, feminism seems to be taking a central presence in digital spaces. Given that many young people today spend majority of their time online, social media and other online platforms provide a useful tool for African feminists to reach multiple audiences.
Feminist and women’s rights organisations are responsible for the significant gains in advancing women’s rights over the last two centuries, however, struggles for political, social, economic and climate justice are far from over. Women are still under-represented in all areas of decision making in public and private spheres; there are still unacceptably high
There is debate about whether men can be called feminists. At two ends of the spectrum - arguments by pro-feminist men that gender should not be a barrier to their full and active participation, others argue that feminism is rooted in women’s experiences and the movement founded by women for women’s liberation and
Culture is an integral part of African women’s identity, and they play a central role in preserving tradition and cultural practices and beliefs. While some are beneficial to all members of society, others are harmful to women and girls, such as female genital mutilation (FGM); early marriage and pregnancy and the various taboos
As African feminism grows, younger people are active towards being part of the movement. Below are examples of some of the young women led feminist groups and the work they are doing to move African feminist agenda forward. Women in Tech Madagascar - Madagascar Founded in 2016, Women in Tech Madagascar is led by
Africa is a young population. Children under age 15 account for 41% of the population in 2017 and young persons aged 15 to 24 account for an additional 19% representing 60% of Africa's population, making Africa the world's youngest population.1 Four of the ten countries with youngest populations are in Southern Africa –
Agenda Feminist Media - During the struggle against apartheid, young women started South Africa’s first feminist journal in a society where patriarchy was the order of the day. Agenda, the journal became their tool. Through workshops, forums and debates the issue of the position of women in society was firmly put on the