Dangers of Western Feminism to African Women

 Dear Reader,

As per the title, this is going to be a controversial topic and opinion, but one that I hold dear to my heart as it has shaped me into the woman I am today. What is feminism in this modern age and time? This writer, dear reader, has pounded on this question severally. According to Oxford Languages, feminism is defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality between the sexes. So what do I mean when I say Western Feminism? I mean feminism that fights for women in western countries and, mostly, the white woman; I mean mainstream feminism. African feminism differs from Western feminism in that the latter focuses on individual rights and is founded on 'I,' whereas the former acknowledges communal aspects that are culturally fundamental to an African society, and its ideologies are based on 'We' (Ubuntu). My feminist journey, however, starts with my mother's struggles and my grandmother's ideologies, plus my father's support. It blossomed when I was first introduced to the likes of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Martha Karua, Wangari Mathai , and other powerful African women who have paved the way for generations to come. To see a woman so eloquent and so sure about herself and her position in society was incredibly inspiring; it was everything I wanted to be. Then the radicalization of the movement started, and at first I was drawn to it, but then came the phrase, "We don't need men," and I questioned the entire movement . Was this really about equality or just about reversing the roles of power? I had to reconsider my involvement and whether it aligned with my values. Because if I didn't need men, what about my brothers? What about my father? Do we have to bring down men for us to grow as women? Or can we promote gender equality without diminishing the role of men in society? So I started asking myself these questions, and I realised that true empowerment comes when we lift each other up, regardless of gender. Also came the question: Are we really fighting for equality or equity? And what really is equality and equity? According to Oxford Languages, equality is "the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities," while equity is "the quality of being fair, impartial, or just.". Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognising that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. Based on those differences, it is considered that equity is a more effective approach to ensuring fairness and justice for all individuals.

My problem, however, with mainstream feminism is: who is it exactly designed for for all of us to accept its ideologies? Secondly, how does it benefit me as an African woman with its radicalness? Definitely not for the average African woman, and the radicalism definitely can not work in an African society. This leads to the question: were African women hopeless before feminism? According to African history, there were several matriarchs and queens, and there are still some in some parts of Africa. In 1623, Queen Nzinga of Angola, who famously led the resistance to Portuguese colonialism in Angola, joined the Jaga, a small band of warriors who had arrived from the southern Kwanza River plateaus to battle the Portuguese. Nzinga sheltered all fleeing slaves from Portuguese-controlled territories. Mekatilili Wa Menza, of the Agiriama of Kenya, is said to be one of the earliest freedom fighters in Kenya, leading her people in resistance to British colonialism. The Dahomey Amazons (Agojie, Agoji, Mino, and Minon) were an all-female military regiment in the 17th century in the Kingdom of Dahomey, present-day Benin. Other examples would include Amina, the queen of Zaria, Nigeria , who expanded the territory of the Hausa people. Kandake, the empress of Ethiopia, ruled during the 2nd century AD. Makeda, queen of Sheba, is a figure from Ethiopian history and the Bible known for her wisdom and beauty. Nefertiti, queen of Kemet, modern day Egypt , is famous for her iconic bust and role in the religious revolution of her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten. Yaa Asantewa of the Ashanti Kingdom, modern day Ghana , was a powerful queen mother and military leader known for her bravery and leadership during British colonial rule. The list is endless. To answer my question, however, African women were not as hopeless or helpless; however, we must acknowledge that this does not apply to all African tribes, societies, and cultures. But to demonise the African culture and to generalise it as a partriachal system would be incorrect and unfair, as clearly seen in the above societies. This input oversimplifies the complexities of African cultures and fails to recognise the diversity within them. While in the West, the focus is on issues like nudity, I see a stark contrast in our struggles. Personally, I have little regard for the acceptance of nudity in society. Instead, I am dedicated to combating FGM, gender-based violence, murder, sexual abuse, child marriages, and advocating for girls' education.

My other problem with mainstream feminism is the cancellation culture that often accompanies it. This creates room for toxicity and overradical ideologies, which then bring harm to productive discussions and progress. It also stops the ability to learn from differing perspectives, grow as a movement, and educate others on the importance of equality and respect. Mainstream feminists often attack women who want to be housewives or women who prioritise marriage and being mothers rather than pursuing a career outside of the home . This narrow-minded view fails to recognise that feminism is about choice and empowerment for all women, regardless of their life goals and aspirations. I believe there is nothing wrong with choosing to be a full-time mother and raising a family. This leads me to the question: Where do feminists like me fit in? Do we have a place in the movement if we don't conform to traditional career-oriented goals? Are we still considered feminists in these modern times?

Nevertheless, I cannot disregard the accomplishments of the feminist movement in advancing women's rights throughout history, particularly in Africa. I believe it is time to reassess the cause and seek African solutions for African problems instead of depending on Western ideologies. And remember, in precolonial times, there existed martial societies where women held positions of power and respect, and we could definitely go back to our ways without diminishing men 's roles in society. We also have to acknowledge that women in the West are far ahead in their fight for equality compared to women in Africa, and so we should not adopt their ideologies. We should instead support and uplift each other in our own unique cultural contexts.