CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN FEMALE WRITERS TO FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP

Abstract

In recent times, female writers of African Literature have played vita role in ameliorating the condition of African women in a patriarchal society. This view is observed in the works of the Calixthe Beyala of Cameroun, Mariama Ba and Aminata Sowfall of Senegal. These writers have used the power of the pen to encourage female assertiveness and consciousness in women. Through their works many female sleeping giants have risen up to the challenge to take up leadership responsibilities in their chosen careers, in politics and other sectors of national development. This paper exposed how the works of these writers have opened up avenues of economic empowerment for women. It also addressed how the socio-political situation of women has drastically changed and women have evolved from a second class, suppressed and marginalized group to a class of emancipated and independent group taking part in leadership positions in the society. The feminist theory of Alice Walker formed the bedrock of this paper. Our finding is that women in leadership are more organized and do better in leadership than their male counterparts.