Colonialism’s Lasting Legacy. Gendered Power Dynamics in Postcolonial African Societies (WiF Roundtable Session, Atlanta)

WiF Roundtable Session

Colonialism’s Lasting Legacy: Gendered Power Dynamics in Postcolonial African Societies

This session will explore the persistence of patriarchal traditions, the marginalization of women in postcolonial politics, and how colonial legacies still inform gender relations in contemporary African societies, calling for a reevaluation of postcolonial gender studies. The introduction of European colonialism and its gender norms imposed a new, Western-centric framework that redefined power and social roles, particularly through the creation of the "woman" as a category. A good example of these complexities is the reimagining of gender, in Oyeronke Oyewumi’s view, as a direct consequence of colonialism, reshaping social structures in ways that marginalized African women and created hierarchies based on Western ideals. Maria Lugones stated that the colonial distinction became a mark of the human and mark of civilization, she said “Only the civilized are men or women.” Some questions for discussion will include but are not limited to: how did colonialism alter the material and political structures of African societies and also deepen gender inequalities?

Submit your abstracts (250 words) and short bio (100 words) in either French or English to Diweng Mercy Dafong at mdafong@ua.edu.

Submission deadline May 15, 2025.