The book argues that women's perspectives and gender issues must be mainstreamed across African philosophy in order for the discipline to truly represent the thoughts of Africans across the continent. African philosophy as an academic discipline emerged as a direct challenge to Western and Eurocentric hegemonies. It sought to actualize the project of decolonization and to contribute African perspectives to global discourses. There has however been a dominance of male perspectives in this field of human knowledge. This book argues that African philosophy cannot claim to have liberated people of African descent from marginalization until the androcentric nature of African philosophy is addressed. Key concepts such as Ujamaa Negritude Ubuntu Consciencism and African Socialism are explored as they relate to African women's lives or as models of inclusion or exclusion from politics. In addition to offering a feminist critique of African philosophy the book also discusses topics that have been consistently overlooked in African philosophy. These topics include sex sexuality rape motherhood prostitution and the low participation of women in politics. By highlighting the work of women feminist scholars such as Oyeronke Oyewumi Nkiru Nzegwu Ifi Amadiume Amina Mama and Bibi Bakare-Yusuf the book engages with African philosophy from an African feminist viewpoint. This book will be an essential resource for students and researchers of African philosophy and gender studies. |Feminist African Philosophy Women and the Politics of Difference | African Studies
