Women's Role In Colonial Africa

During the colonial period in Africa women had major roles in nationalist movements. Unfortunately these roles were overlooked and are not documented well in history. This is mostly because only males, both African and European, provided information during decolonization leaving out the involvement of women. In reality, women had many accomplishments and helped to win the freedom of their countries. Women took part in protest, organized petitions, strikes, demonstrations, and even in combat. Over all women had an impact on the colonial situation, cultural nationalism, labor movements and rural resistance, political protest and armed struggle despite their efforts not being recorded. The colonial situation in Africa had great effects on women at the time causing frustration with colonial policies. These growing tensions resulted in resistance from African women. The European alienation policies took women away from their farmlands but they were still expected to feed their families. Women worked for poor wages like men but faced major disadvantages. Men had more resources available to them such as education, money, skills, and land. For example Men were taught how to use modern European technology while women continued to use traditional
They fought taxation by protesting the burden of taxes on the African family. Women protested taxation and even rumors of higher taxes would send women to revolt because they were passionate on making changes. Tensions grew especially between women and local agents. Most of the tension between women and local agents was seen in the daily lives of African women. The local figures in power would exploit the women, which in return was met with aggression. For example the Kikuyu women would taunt and ridicule the native police, while the women in Cameroon would completely reject the court system by making their