Olabisi Olonisakin
Nigeria / UK
Feminists in Africa should systematically mainstream gender such that the focus on feminism will
not be perceived or seen as women’s issues only but as a demand for strategic engagement in all
aspects of governance.
I live in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria as well as in Essex, United Kingdom
and work as an independent social policy researcher and evaluation
specialist. As an evaluation specialist, I undertake reviews, evaluations and
impact assessment of publicly funded projects/ programmes. As a social
policy researcher, I undertake needs assessments that inform or aid service
commissioners to commission and provide services that reflect the needs of
the population.
We also need a ‘3rd eye’ looking particularly within the private sector to
identify African women with history of personal values and ethics similar to that
of the feminist movement. Such women should be invited to forums that may
help them locate their core values within African Feminism. Finally, attempts
should also be made to carry along women with limited education. A system
should be put in place to help such women articulate themselves and ensure
that their contribution is taken on board.
I’m a feminist because I analyze, recognize, and to the best of my capacity,
challenge systems of oppression and exploitation of women, on which
patriarchy thrives. I’m committed to gender mainstreaming, as a strategy for
promoting gender equality, albeit recognizing the inherent weaknesses in the
systems and processes aimed at promoting gender equality. Over the last 10
years, my work has entailed ensuring that gender perspectives and attention
to the goal of gender equality are central to policy development, research,
implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects.
At a personal level, I often come across African women that exude the values
and ethics of African Feminism in their personal and organisational capacities,
yet they do not confer that identity on themselves. I signpost them to trainings or
informal forums that may help them recognise themselves as African feminists
and position their personal challenges of patriarchal oppression within the
African feminism discuss.
Feminists in Africa at the moment are burdened with the struggle to highlight
inequalities based on gender; and combating those inequalities with ‘strategic
gender interests”. While this is of great importance and a good starting point,
it tends to limit the focus of African feminism to women’s issues instead of a
larger, strategic focus on all areas of governance, which invariably impact
on their lives as citizens. Feminists in Africa should systematically mainstream
gender such that the focus on feminism will not be perceived or seen as
women’s issues only but as a demand for strategic engagement in all aspects
of governance. We can tackle these challenges by establishing local informal
forums at different levels to explore theories of feminism.
I am inspired by modern architecture, natural landscapes, secluded beaches
and music. However, my ultimate source of inspiration over the years has
been my sister. Perhaps it’s because I have such admiration for her strength,
selflessness and sense of justice or because of her unconditional love, support
and belief in me. She’s taught me some of the most valuable lessons in life,
one of which is being true to myself. Of late, ‘being true to myself’, of itself,
has become a great source of inspiration. So has my four and a half year
old daughter! Her innocence, humour and lack of inhibition gives me a sense
of purpose.
VPS II
. 105