Africa and Standpoint Theories of Feminism

Abstract

The history, origin, content and focus of feminism in general was characterised by fragmented approaches that took into account the realities and experiences of a particular group of women who had voice and privilege, mostly White middle class women, at the expense of African and other marginalised and disadvantaged women. In line with views by Sojourner Truth, Tone Code Bambara rhetorically presented such concerns by saying “How relevant are the truths, the experiences, the findings of White Women to Black Women?'' The chapter looked at how the feminist standpoint theory relates to African women in Africa and in the diaspora. A brief history of the theory is given and the influence of Marxist thinking on the development of this theory presented. Three principal claims of the theory are discussed. The discussion on the criticisms of the theory bring the chapter to a close.