Women's Social and Legal Issues in African Current Affairs

This volume explores the difficulties that beset African women and inhibit them from excelling in many walks of life in the twenty-first century. Asymmetrical relations in society position women in subjugated and marginalized roles. This is caused by customary practices that have left women in vulnerable and subsidiary positions, as well as statutory provisions that fester this process. Despite its richness in raw materials and minerals, Africa remains slow to grow when compared to other continents. The economies of most African countries is severely anemic: corruption is rife, poor governance is systemic, and wars, conflicts, famine and diseases abound. Stalled economies disproportionately affects women; for example, as nurturers, women have the extra responsibility of taking care of children and members of the extended family. In times of want, women are more likely to give up the little they have so that their children and others may survive. This book shows the various social and legal obstacles that stall women’s upward mobility and offers recommendations on how these issues can be resolved.

A contemporary critical examination of age-old gender issues in Africa, this book offers some novel responses for a global audience., The brilliance of this work centers on integrating various critical social and legal issues affecting African women with theories of female victimization. Carefully researched and extraordinarily well-crafted, this book offers thought-provoking recommendations. It is more than just an academic publication filled with theory, case studies and statistics—it is a book that matters. It should be read by all who care about victimization and African women., This book fills a major gap in the literature on the emancipation of African women from their oppression by their societies’ patriarchal, legal, political and economic systems. The author writes from her first-hand experience growing up in an African society. She has also supported her assertions with extensive relevant empirical evidence. Her knowledge and experience with the practice of law in Africa has further informed her understanding that legal reforms and education alone without also dismantling the patriarchal culture that marginalizes and victimizes African women will not resolve the women’s problems. Her passion for addressing the plight of African women now is no doubt informed by her experience in the West and studies of women in other parts of the world that what is happening to women in Africa is neither natural nor fair. Age old African cultural practices such as forced marriages, under-aged marriages, denying of education to women, domestic violence and human trafficking fueled by Africa’s integration into the global economy further contribute to the subjugation of African women. These issues and more are thoroughly addressed by Professor Time in this informative, timely and beautifully written book by someone whose knowledge and experience of African society is exemplary. Professor Time argues in this book that African women can enjoy the same quality of life and opportunity like African men when extensive and deep rooted reforms that promote the physical well-being and the full participation of women in the economic, political, educational and social activities of their societies. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone interested in women’s studies in particular and Africa in general.

Victoria M. Time is professor of criminal justice at Old Dominion University.