Women and colonialism in West Africa

Abstract

This chapter offers a detailed explanation of the significant historical roles and positions of women in West African societies. Women and men were noted to have played complementary roles in political, economic, and sociocultural spheres before the colonial incursion. The advent of colonialism altered this reality as women were relegated to the background and seriously marginalized. Colonial administration through various policies gave greater recognition and power to men at the expense of women's historical positions. The female gender lost control over land and means of survival. The adoption of indirect rule, the imposition of taxes, and appointment of illegitimate rulers all eventually led to nationalist and liberation struggles involving women in different parts of the region as women resisted colonial rule in different ways. Despite the negative impact of colonialism on gender roles in the regions, West African women have since made significant efforts to regain the powers lost to colonialism and to expand their rights.