Introduction to Special Issue: Women, Language, and Law in Africa

Citation:

Stoeltje, Beverly J., Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, and Okello Ogwang. 2002. “Introduction to Special Issue: Women, Language, and Law in Africa.” Africa Today 49 (1): vii–xx.

Authors: Beverly J. Stoeltje, Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, Okello Ogwang

Abstract:

A powerful woman warrior, an exotic female dancer, a wealthy market trader, a farmer with a hoe, or an elusive signifier? All these images of African women have been the subject of scholarly works over the past several decades in an effort to comprehend women's position and status in the numerous economies and cultures of Africa. Female scholars, both African and Western, have addressed their research to issues as broadly defined as women and class in Africa, and as specifically focused as queens, queen mothers, priestesses, and power. More recently, however, agencies from the U.S. and Europe have begun funding projects concerned with women and law. This topic has captured the attention of scholars who are increasingly turning their attention to women's use of the law in courts and their abilities to strategize with regard to resources.

Topics: Gender, Women Regions: Africa

Year: 2002