Gender, Anti-Colonialism and Nationalism

Feminism is having a marked impact on studies of colonialism, especially on the gender dimensions of nationalist movements and ideologies. Africa’s reaction to European intrusion into Africa was not uniform; throughout the period of the scramble for Africa, European colonizers faced resistance in many parts of Africa. There are advantages to viewing the workings of such resistance through the lens of gender because gendered dynamics illuminate valuable, under-discussed aspects of anti-colonial struggles.

The repudiation of colonialism in Africa occurred in diverse forms, sometimes subtle and at other times aggressive, including a readiness to suppress ruthlessly. Undeniably, there was a shared focus of the anti-colonial reactions, and it was the irresistible pursuit of nationalism. African nationalism and anti-colonial efforts involved the collective efforts of men and women, who focused on overthrowing European colonial domination, achieving independence and building new nation-states.

There were varied feminine and masculine cultures in the colonial context and these had political consequences. In the same way that custom and tradition were key domains for determining feminine cultures and women’s behaviour, colonial agitations and nationalism were also crucial in defining the place of women and how they responded to colonialism. Although the colonial enterprise had its effects on gender relations and the status of women in the local colonized African societies, women responded to the shifting patterns of political authority, economy and sometimes Empire-sponsored propaganda in diverse ways. Across the continent, women used demonstrations, protests, revolts, riots and other local institutions such as song and dance groups to express colonial agitation. Others responded to the changing political and economic system by collective attacks on colonial and native authorities or defiantly refusing to obey orders...