African NGO’s and Womanism: Microcredit and Self-Help

Abstract

It is argued that womanism, a concept often associated with Black American women writers, is a driving force behind much of the activity of many West African cultures, including their current work with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s). The historical nature of womanism, both on the continent and in the Americas is addressed, and microcredit and NGO work in other areas held up to contrast. The conclusion is that women-oriented microcredit projects need to be seen through a specific cultural lens.