African Feminist Praxis: Cartographies of Liberatory Worldmaking

African Feminist Praxis is a meticulous and visionary exploration of contemporary African feminist politics, structured around the principles of kinship, courage, pleasure, care, and memory, and drawing on the African feminist academic canon, grey literature, and narratives of feminists activists. It argues that African feminist praxis is a politics of proposition and liberatory worldmaking.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2025
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd

African Feminist Praxis is a meticulous and visionary work that challenges the dominant narrative of African resistance by exploring the flesh and breadth of contemporary African feminist politics across the African continent. Structured around the key principles of kinship, courage, pleasure, care, and memory, the book draws on the African feminist academic canon, grey literature of practitioner knowledge, and narratives of feminists activists themselves to provide a comprehensive understanding of African feminist praxis. Through this, it argues that African feminist praxis is fundamentally a politics of proposition, a mode of liberatory worldmaking.

The Social Science for Social Justice series, which includes this book, challenges the Ivory Tower of academia by providing a platform for academics, journalists, and activists of color to respond to pressing social issues. By exploring the diverse and complex experiences of African women and girls, African Feminist Praxis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on African feminist thought and practice.

One of the key strengths of African Feminist Praxis is its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The book draws on a wide range of sources, including academic literature, practitioner knowledge, and the experiences of feminists activists themselves, to provide a comprehensive understanding of African feminist praxis. This approach allows the book to address the practical challenges faced by African women and girls, as well as the theoretical frameworks that underpin their struggles.

Another important aspect of African Feminist Praxis is its focus on the importance of kinship, courage, pleasure, care, and memory in African feminist politics. These principles are central to African feminist thought and practice, and they provide a framework for understanding the ways in which African women and girls navigate their lives and resist oppression. The book explores how these principles have been used in different contexts, and how they have shaped the development of African feminist movements.

One of the most significant contributions of African Feminist Praxis is its emphasis on the importance of intersectionality in African feminist politics. Intersectionality recognizes that different forms of oppression, such as race, class, gender, and sexuality, intersect and affect each other. The book explores how intersectionality has been used in African feminist movements to challenge dominant narratives and to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

African Feminist Praxis also provides a critical analysis of the role of the state in African feminist politics. The book argues that the state has often been complicit in the oppression of African women and girls, and that it has failed to address the root causes of gender inequality. The book explores how African feminists have responded to this challenge, and how they have worked to create a more democratic and accountable state.

In addition to its theoretical and practical contributions, African Feminist Praxis is also a powerful tool for social change. The book provides a platform for feminists activists to share their experiences and ideas, and to connect with other feminists around the world. This has led to the development of new feminist movements and the creation of a more inclusive and equitable society.

However, African Feminist Praxis also faces several challenges. One of the most significant challenges is the lack of resources and support for African feminist movements. Many African feminists face financial and political barriers that make it difficult for them to organize and to advocate for their rights. This has led to a lack of visibility and recognition for African feminist movements, and has contributed to the perpetuation of gender inequality.

Another challenge is the prevalence of gender-based violence in African societies. Gender-based violence is a major threat to the health and well-being of African women and girls, and it has been exacerbated by the ongoing effects of colonialism, globalization, and patriarchy. African Feminist Praxis provides a platform for feminists activists to address this issue, and to work towards the creation of a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, African Feminist Praxis is a meticulous and visionary work that challenges the dominant narrative of African resistance by exploring the flesh and breadth of contemporary African feminist politics across the African continent. Structured around the key principles of kinship, courage, pleasure, care, and memory, the book draws on the African feminist academic canon, grey literature of practitioner knowledge, and narratives of feminists activists themselves to provide a comprehensive understanding of African feminist praxis. Through this, it argues that African feminist praxis is fundamentally a politics of proposition, a mode of liberatory worldmaking. The Social Science for Social Justice series, which includes this book, challenges the Ivory Tower of academia by providing a platform for academics, journalists, and activists of color to respond to pressing social issues. By exploring the diverse and complex experiences of African women and girls, African Feminist Praxis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on African feminist thought and practice. However, African Feminist Praxis also faces several challenges, including the lack of resources and support for African feminist movements and the prevalence of gender-based violence in African societies. By working together, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.

Weight: 158g
Dimension: 176 x 126 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529609738