Africa Woman: What Is It Like To Be A Woman In Africa?
“Africa woman and their lives”
Hey! Are you searching for something like this on the internet? If your answer is yes, then you have reached the right place.
There are a lot of things that we find fascinating about the continent of Africa. However, if there is one thing that I should mention, the answer is simple— women! With their traditions and their cultures that they hold so close to themselves and their heart, an Africa woman is someone that you should have in your lives.
Keep reading this article till the end to learn more about women in Africa…
Africa Woman 101: Everything You Need To Know About Women Of Africa!
While you might think that Africa is a continent of the poor and underdeveloped, it is important for you to understand that it is a vast continent. Being the second largest continent, with an area of 30.3 million square km, the continent stretches from almost 37 degrees North latitude to 35 degrees South latitude.
The number of countries in Africa is a total of forty-four (44). And trust me when I say this, the condition of an African woman varies throughout the continent.
In case you want to know a little about Africa woman and their culture and personalities. You have come to the best place. Keep reading this blog till the end to learn about the women in Africa…
History Of Women In Africa
Before talking about their culture, it is important that you understand a little about the history of African women. And this history has a lot to do with how they have been subjugated and how they fought back to reclaim their freedom.
Studies have found that women in Africa have played pivotal roles in the wake of the African Independence movements in the 1960s. These took place in several parts of the continent including Madagascar, Algeria, Angola, Namibia, and Mozambique.
Let us take a look at the culture and traditions as well as the personalities of Africa woman that you have been searching for…
Society And Culture Of A Woman In Africa
The culture and lifestyle of African women has varied since time immemorial. Some studies show that the women in Morocco used to live in enclosed households or harems. This is where they used to live with their family units. This was difficult to break away from. However, after a lot of struggles, they were able to put an end to this traditional living style.
In the house, the African women were responsible for all the household work. This included cleaning, cooking, childcare, as well as helping the husband and the elders of the family. Apart from taking care of the household, they were also responsible for taking care of a large share of the agricultural work. From weeding to harvesting the crops, women were a part of it all.
Even in today’s world, the women in Africa are extremely active and share the workforce in large sectors. However, they still face discrimination. And this is something that they have been trying hard to break.
While in some parts of the continent, women enjoy equal rights and freedom as their male counterparts, a lot of women face discrimination on a regular basis.
In her political autobiography, Unbowed, Wangari Maathai wrote:
“(President) Moi also suggested that if I was to be a proper woman in “the African Tradition”-I should respect men and be quiet.”
This is a small example of the injustice that women in Africa continue to face till date.
Florence Ebila, in one of her papers writes:
“A proper woman in the African tradition has always been imagined within the context of the family… A proper woman puts the family interest first before even her own personal interest. A proper African woman is not concerned about trees and the environment; rather she is supposed to be concerned about her family and children. If she were to be concerned about trees, it would be in terms of firewood which she needs to provide fuel for her kitchen.”
This is yet another example of how the life of a woman in Africa is supposed to revolve around the family. However, times are changing and they should change for good!
Africa Woman And Their Struggles: What Is The Condition Of African Women?
According to the UN Women, “Africa includes both low- and middle-income countries, poverty rates are still high. The majority of women work in insecure, poorly paid jobs, with few opportunities for advancement. Democratic elections are increasing, and a record number of women have successfully contested for seats. But electoral-related violence is a growing concern.”
Even today, the phenomenon of ‘son-preference’ is widely prevalent in major parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Girls are married off early in their childhood.
And this is because of one popular cultural belief— educating daughters is a waste of money and other resources as their parents will not receive or gain any form of economic benefits as she will be married to someone else’s family.
According to UNESCO’s research, nearly 58% of women in Africa are literate. However, there is one thing that should be kept in mind— this rate of literacy is extremely unstable and unequal. While the literacy rate of women in Seychelles is 96%, that in Chad is just 14%.
The United Nations has stated that while “women are a source of economic vitality across Africa, discrimination hinders their opportunities.”
The life of a Moroccan woman is much more complex. And this is primarily because the women in Morocco are doubly marginalized. Why? Well, that again drives us back to the tradition of the region.
Considering the fact that Morocco is a blend of African traditions and the Muslim traditions, religion has a lot of influence. It “dictates more or less how a Muslim Moroccan should live and behave.”
Women And Money: Who Are The Richest Women In Africa?
Even though it is true that most parts of Africa are underdeveloped and poverty stricken, there are still a massive amount of women who ensure that they can have the riches of the world.
In case you are searching for the richest women in Africa, here is a list of them. Take a look at the women who earn a lot in the continent of Africa. Here are the top five richest women in Africa:
| RANK | NAME | NET WORTH | OCCUPATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isabel Dos Santos | $2.8 Billion | Holder and investor |
| 2 | Folorunsho Alakija | $1.54 Billion | Director of Rose of Sharon Group |
| 3 | Ngina Kenyatta | $1 Billion | Entrepreneur |
| 4 | Hajia Bola Shagaya | $630 million | Entrepreneur |
| 5 | Wendy Appelbaum | $259 million | Entrepreneur |
Running The World: Who Are The Famous Women From Africa?
If there is one woman whose name is famous throughout the world who hails from the continent of Africa, it is Cleopetra.
Well, I know that she is a woman of the past, however, she deserves to be remembered as one of the most famous women from Africa, doesn’t she?
Here is a list of the most famous women of Africa that you were searching for:
| NAME | COUNTRY |
|---|---|
| Bonang Matheba | South Africa |
| Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Nigeria |
| Lupita Nyong’o | Kenya |
| Aya Chebbi | Tunisia |
| Graça Machel | Mozambique |
| Winnie Byanyima | Uganda |
| Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa | South Africa |
| Louise Mushikiwabo | Rwanda |
| Waris Dirie | Somalia |
| Shale-Work Zewde | Ethiopia |
Wrapping It Up!
In case you were searching about the life, culture, personality of women in Africa, or were simply surfing the internet about “Africa woman,” I hope that this article has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same, please feel free to let me know in the comment box below. All you gotta do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page and then leave your suggestions and queries in the comment box below. And I will be there to answer your questions!
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