Segregation In Africa

The Historical Cultural Subordination and Segregation of Women in Africa

As evidenced by the many researches in contemporary scholarship in Africa, the impact of traditional culture on the rights of women is a major focus in the fight to accord women value and self-worthiness. Many scholars of feminist studies have been largely unanimous that aspects of African culture are hostile to women, hence the need for a paradigm shift so that the supposed hitherto marginalize d woman will be able to function as equal partners in the spiritual, economic and social development of society. Men are regarded as natural leaders, who are superior and born to rule over women. Women are considered weaker vessels-extensions of men and secondary human beings.

In many African communities, the birth of a baby girl did not receive as much an enthusiastic reception as that of the boy (Dimandja 2004). African societies attach more value and importance to a male child than to a female child (Mukto-Mona 2012). No woman is regarded as complete or real until she gives birth to a male. Delivering a son gives a woman pride and a place at her husband’s home. In West Africa there is a proverb which says, “Ten daughters are not worth a son” (Mukto-Mona 2012). As they grow, studies have shown that girls are most often the ones that are deprived of education for obvious socio-cultural reasons. An array of beliefs and myths have been constructed and evolved into explanations and rationalizations for this discrimination. In all African countries the goal of Western education was to train boys to earn a livelihood for themselves and their families (Tuwor and Sossou 2008). In contrast, all that the girl “needed” to be prepared for was for her domestic roles. Any education rendered was to make her a good wife and mother, and this did not warrant a formal school

The marriage institution is another arena where women have faced discrimination. In many African societies, parents determined who marries their daughters before they are old enough to decide for themselves, and in extreme instances, girls as young as seven have been married off to men old enough to be their grandfathers (Mukto-Muno 2012). Neglect of and discrimination against girls, particularly in societies with strong son preference, also contributes to early marriage of girls. Early marriage has been reported to devalue women in many African societies. Another economic reason which perpetuates the practice of female discrimination is related to dowries. Whilst originally noble, the payment of dowry evolved into an unforgiving excuse for the discrimination of women in marriage. With the payment of the dowry, a girl is “bought” and automatically becomes the property of the man, who uses, mistreats, and dumps her when he deems fit (Mukto-Muno 2012). The dowry price of a woman is her exchange value in cash, kind or any other agreed form, such as a period of employment. This value is determined by the family of the bride-to-be and her future in-laws. Both families must gain from the exchange. The woman's in-laws want an extra pair of hands and children; her family desire payment which will provide greater security for other relatives.