African feminist theology

There are multifaceted strands of feminism in Africa. Located alongside the broader praxis-oriented frameworks of African (male) liberation theology, global feminist discourse, and feminist theology, African feminism is born out of African women’s unique socio-political and religious struggles against interlocking systems of oppression. This chapter focuses exclusively on feminist theologies in Africa. It begins with a preliminary note on feminist terminology, including suggested qualifiers such as “womanism” and “intersectional feminism.” The chapter traces the development of feminist theologies in Africa within the framework of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (the Circle), whose origins and current status also prove pertinent to the discussion. African feminist movements are similar to Western feminist movements, both being described as different shades of the same color. Whereas Western feminism tends to focus on race, class, and gender, African feminism finds culture requiring the most attention.