Women in nation building: breaking down barriers, building bridges

abstract

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.

keywords:

• leadership
• African feminisms
• social justice
• literary works

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Funmi Abioye

Funmi Abioye is an Associate Professor of Law in the Department of Jurisprudence at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She obtained her LLM (International Law) and LLD (International Law) degrees from the University of Pretoria, South Africa; with her LLB from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has taught public international law, private international law, comparative law, and social welfare law in the past, and she is currently teaching Private International Law and the Historical Foundations of South African Law at the University of South Africa. Her research interests include the rule of law in Africa, the African Union, good governance, legitimacy and accountability of governments, and she has published in these fields. She is the current Editor of the Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa (CILSA). Email: [email protected]

Pam Nyawo

Pam Nyawo is a lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She obtained her BA (Law) LLB LLM (Mercantile Law) & LLM (Law & Political Justice) degrees from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and is completing her DPhil (Sociology) at the University of Johannesburg. Her research interests include gender policy and law and constitutionalism and government procurement law. She worked in the corporate sector as a legal advisor for more than a decade before joining Unisa.