Owusu on Africa: Women have traditionally been powerful in Africa – there is an unstoppable renaissance

By Fidel Amakye Owusu

Throughout Africa, a prevailing narrative centers on the ongoing struggle against the subjugation of women, painting the continent as predominantly patriarchal. Various factors such as wars, natural disasters, and societal events have only exacerbated this unfortunate perception. In times of conflict, it’s often women and children who bear the brunt, comprising a significant majority of internally displaced persons in regions like Liberia, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.

Furthermore, the backbone of subsistence agriculture across Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan regions, is predominantly supported by women. However, worsening climatic conditions have rendered them increasingly vulnerable and depicted them as weak in the face of adversity.

A significant contributing factor to this narrative is the persistently low rates of female education across many regions within Africa. This educational disparity translates into limited opportunities for women, thereby widening the socioeconomic gap between men and women.

However, there are unique and compelling counter-narratives that challenge this prevailing image. For instance, among the Akan people of Ghana, women have traditionally held considerable power and importance within the societal framework. In Akan culture, lineage and inheritance are determined through the maternal line, and women play a pivotal role in deciding matters of succession and traditional leadership.

Despite the encroachment of legal-rational systems that have eroded some of these traditional privileges, there is a noticeable shift occurring. Education emerges as a key catalyst driving this “renaissance” of African women. Over the decades, millions of African women have reclaimed their rights and pursued modern education, leading to significant strides in various fields.

Today, African women are making remarkable advancements in politics, business, economics, security, education, and other domains, ascending to leadership positions with distinction. The gender gap in education is rapidly closing in many schools and universities across the continent, signaling a promising trend for future generations.

Moreover, the empowerment of women carries profound implications for the well-being of future generations, as women play invaluable roles in nurturing and educating the next cohort of citizens. As a Ghanaian educationist aptly noted, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual; but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”

On this Mother’s Day, let us celebrate the resilience, strength, and achievements of women across Africa and beyond, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping societies and driving progress.

Fidel Amakye Owusu is an International Relations and Security Analyst. He is an Associate at the Conflict Research Consortium for Africa and has previously hosted an International Affairs program with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He is passionate about Diplomacy and realizing Africa’s global potential and how the continent should be viewed as part of the global collective.