African Feminists

Students may choose any of the feminists listed below to research. Afterward, they can write a 1-page essay and email it to HumanistMutualAid@gmail.com. In the essay, please highlight the three most important ideas or contributions of the feminist and share your own reflections, thoughts, and reactions to their views. You can write about as many of the feminists as you wish.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Nigeria, 1900–1978) - Anti-colonial activist and educator; led the Abeokuta Women’s Union, fought against colonial taxation, and campaigned for women’s suffrage in Nigeria.

Wangari Maathai (Kenya, 1940–2011) - Environmentalist and founder of the Green Belt Movement; first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize; linked women’s empowerment to environmental sustainability.

Graça Machel (Mozambique, b. 1945) - Freedom fighter, humanitarian, and advocate for women’s and children’s rights; former Minister of Education in Mozambique and a global gender equality leader.

Leymah Gbowee (Liberia, b. 1972) - Peace activist who led the nonviolent Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement, helping to end Liberia’s civil war; Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Aminata Traoré (Mali, b. 1947) - Author, politician, and outspoken critic of neoliberalism; links economic justice, feminism, and African cultural identity.

Hibo Wardere (Somalia, b. 1970) - Author and activist against female genital mutilation (FGM); works internationally to raise awareness and protect girls’ rights.

Nawal El Saadawi (Egypt, 1931–2021) - Physician, novelist, and outspoken feminist critic of patriarchy and religious fundamentalism; founder of the Arab Women’s Solidarity Association.

Huda Sha’arawi (Egypt, 1879–1947) - Pioneer of Egyptian feminism; founded the Egyptian Feminist Union; famously removed her veil publicly in 1923 as a statement for women’s emancipation.

Aïcha Chenna (Morocco, 1941–2022) - Nurse and activist; founder of the Association Solidarité Féminine, supporting single mothers and victims of violence.

Gisèle Halimi (Tunisia, 1927–2020) - Lawyer and feminist; defended women in landmark abortion and rape trials; co-founded the French feminist organization Choisir.

Fatema Mernissi (Morocco, 1940–2015) - Sociologist and writer; known for her feminist interpretations of Islam and critiques of gender inequality in Muslim societies.

Amira Osman Hamed (Sudan, b. 1973) - Engineer and women’s rights activist; known for civil disobedience campaigns against restrictive dress codes for women in Sudan.

Magda al-Sanousi (Libya, active 2000s–present) - Activist and peacebuilder; works on women’s inclusion in post-conflict governance and human rights advocacy in Libya.