Toyin Falola
Of the diverse subjects that Professor Isike spends his career exploring, the least talked about is his contributions to women’s studies. In this piece, I want to focus on his contributions to gender inclusivity.
There used to be an anthem titled “Olugbowo” for mothers during my early years in Ibadan. The song emphasizes the significance of motherly care in a child’s life, with lyrics like “Iya L’olugbowo mi/ Ti n toju mi ni kekere,” translatable to: Mother is my caregiver, who nurtured me from childhood. This may be a hypothesis to evaluate the true impacts of mothers in our society. Although the roles of women were not largely understated in African societies, the unequal allocation of traditional roles in that period, despite several instances of women playing crucial roles in societal development, cannot be ignored.
To corroborate the importance of gender equality, African literature has evolved and shifted from the predominant narrative of the usual male dominance in family and politics to promoting and emphasizing women’s irreplaceable roles in society. Major African authors have recognized women for their roles in family, politics, and the corporate world. Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter revolves around the experience of women in an overtly patriarchal African society, where women are compelled to acquiesce to the orders of men in the household or community. So Long a Letter reveals the plight of an average African woman and how it could be averted. Furthermore, Wole Soyinka’s portrayal of Iyalode in “Death and the King’s Horseman” is a commendable effort that enables women to raise discernable voices within their communities.
To cut the long story of women’s underappreciation in Africa’s policies short, the Global Gender Gap Index in 2024 reported that the gender gap in Sub-Saharan Africa will require about 150 years to close. According to multiple sources, colonialism is said to have significantly influenced African philosophical perspectives on the treatment of women in society, but these sources share varied opinions on how colonialism has indeed affected women’s roles in Africa. While some believe that the colonial government did not support women’s involvement in politics in Africa, others said they granted women equality and esteem.
However, it is noteworthy that the impact of colonialism is a major threat to upholding and enforcing African epistemologies, thereby affecting the promotion of pan-Africanism. As Professor Isike aptly notes, the legacy of colonialism has led to the dominance of Western ideas and cultures in Africa, often at the expense of indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage. This phenomenon has had a monumental effect on African politics, particularly regarding women’s participation and peacekeeping.
It is considering this development that Professor Isike has continued to pilot the discussions on women’s affairs and their societal roles to a worthy destination. Women are naturally seen as peacemakers because of several attributes. Perhaps, this is why Professor Isike claimed that the masculinization of public policies and political dominance decreases the prospects of peacebuilding in Africa, with references from the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa and the Niger-Delta in Nigeria. This comparative analysis of women and governance in the Niger-Delta and KwaZulu-Natal underscores the significance of women in every developing society.
The marginalization of women in politics is a prevalent social issue in Africa, and Professor Isike’s article on the politics of KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa has also indicated this. In his article “Marginalising women in politics: Recent trends in KwaZulu-Natal,” Professor Isike tried to address this very issue. South Africa has been propagating gender equality through its policies; however, the truth is that gender inequality runs deep in the country, and women are extremely underrepresented when it comes to politics at the community level. Like every other African society, the political system in South Africa has been heavily criticized for failing to promote gender equality, hence negating and undermining the South African “Ubuntu” philosophy, a school of thought that preaches collectivism over individualism. “I am because you are” can be rephrased in this scenario as “The men are because the women are,” since every developed society thrives on the interdependence of individuals’ strengths and weaknesses.
It may require an eagle eye to appreciate women’s labors, but those who minimize their efforts and role in peace and conflict should be made to read about the number of peace processes they have taken the lead in. Nigerian women have taken to grassroots mobilization, created intercommunity networks, and have taken up the mantle of being exemplars and mediators. In these grassroots efforts, they have put in place structures that address the need to elevate the quality of life in their communities, neighborhoods, and families, and some focus on alleviating the impact of conflict. According to Peace Insight, the Friends Advocating for Mental Health (FAM) program is a woman-led initiative that has been training young people about mental health since 2020. Another group of women that works together to give women more power is the Feminist Coalition. They helped with 183 peaceful protests in at least 30 states in Nigeria during the 2020 #EndSARS movement and raised money for legal and emergency services.
African studies and international relations have helped us understand African politics considerably better throughout the years by focusing on globalization, traditional government, and internal dynamics. But one thing that needs more attention is how women can assist and improve African politics and bring about peace and progress. Professor Isike has served humanity by using research as a tool for analyzing the roles of women in African politics, while comparing their contributions and challenges. The outcome of his selfless endeavour is the improvement in policies and practices across Africa, promoting more effective engagement and mass participation in African politics and global systems.
Professor Isike has found that political liberalization and governance have opened up the study of politics to participation in several African countries. If Africa truly desires to overcome present issues such as race, gender, and regional disparities, as well as to foster inclusive governance, this is a good step in the right direction. It is vital for women’s active participation as African studies continue to influence governance on the continent. I agree with Professor Isike that to include a variety of viewpoints and to foster a more inclusive and successful governance, women’s engagement is required. No one can challenge his conclusion that women’s involvement in peace processes can also result in more sustainable results, as they frequently concentrate on discussion, collaboration, and community construction.
Epilogue
I watch as you preach sanity and development
with a bell on your hand sounding a warning.
You said the continent
isn’t too weak for the global dance.
So, you lift our legs and
correct our steps till the rhythm sinks.
You said gender does not define competence
that masculinity does not mean strength, and
femininity, weakness.
You are the constructor of a new city
with modern tools. Modern tools
with timeless innovations.