ABSTRACT

There are several works on feminism, most often taken from the Western background. This paper distinguishes itself by investigating the parallelism between Western and African feminisms. It involves a detailed analysis of two distinct yet interconnected feminist frameworks that reflect each other’s unique cultural, historical, and ideological contexts. Western feminism, which is shaped by Euro-American influences, emphasizes gender equality with a strong focus on individual rights, personal autonomy, and legal reforms. Over time, it has evolved through various waves, addressing issues such as suffrage, legal rights, reproductive rights, and more recently, intersectionality. In contrast, African feminism has its roots in colonial and postcolonial experiences, intertwining gender issues with broader social, economic, and political challenges that are specific to African societies. African feminists prioritize communal well-being, social justice, and the decolonization of women's roles and representations, often advocating for collective empowerment rather than solely individual advancement. The comparative and thematic methods of inquiry will be employed during this research. The paper discovers that while both feminist frameworks share a common goal of achieving gender equality, they diverge in their approaches and focal points. This divergence highlights the concept of intersectionality - an area where both Western and African feminisms intersect.