RE-READING GENDER ROLES AND IDENTITIES: TOWARDS A NEW THEORIZATION OF A NEW AFRICAN FEMINISM

Abstract

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study is to formulate a practical and realistic theoretical framework on how contemporary African women are redefining gender roles and identities within the family and society. It also discusses how qualitative methodology and formalistic approach are adopted for the study. Data was collected from three novels: Evelyne Accad‘s Wounding Words (1996), Nawal El Sadaawi‘s Woman at Point Zero (1992) and Flora Nwapa‘s Women are Different (1975). The findings of the study revealed that Accad, Saadawi and Nwapa employed characterization in their novels to underscore negative stereotypical norms against women including domestic and social violence. While such attitude is not new, unlike some women, several female characters rose above intimidation and worked tirelessly at redefining their gender roles and identities via Western education and other practical ways. They redefined their gender roles to become breadwinners, family heads, and occupied several leadership roles, which society often stereotypically attributes to masculine gender and identity. Though the three novels underpinned radical feminism and reformative feminism, the study formulated Proactive Feminism as a bulwark against domestic and social violence as well as gender inequality in post-colonial Africa (Sikweyiya et al., 2020). It is recommended that women should be sensitized towards reporting abuse or cases of gender inequality. Female child education should be prioritized because educating a woman is much the same as educating a nation.