"Women's Invisible Power" - what do you think?

groups » News and events in global health social science » "Women's Invisible Power" - what do you think?

• Norah Owaraga 17 Jan 2018

  The premise that somehow gender issues in the many cultures of the first nations of Africa, such as my people, the Iteso of Uganda, can be reduced and treated as one - "Africa" - and that they are distinctly different in principle from gender issues in the many cultures of other parts of the world is what complicates research.

  In principle there are no differences among the varied culture of the world. The only differences are in how in practice gender issues manifest. Take for example consulting with one's spouse before making a significant decision is in principle the same. Isn't it the norm in other parts of the world for spouses to consult each other before taking significant decisions?

  In Africa, participating in a clinical research trial is a significant decision, particularly so if one takes into consideration what has been done to black Africans in the name of 'science' and 'research'. And also if one takes into consideration the high illiteracy levels among women, for example, in Uganda and by extension sub-Saharan Africa.

  The principle of patriarchy is universal world over. This has been clearly illuminated, for example, by the #MeToo campaign. The only difference is that in other parts of the world, the offenders are treated as the odd person out and are vilified as individuals, whereas when it occurs in one first nation of Africa it is generalised to all African first nations.

  There are many areas of decision-making among Iteso and other Ugandan first African nations where, in fact, women take the lead role in decision making. There are also in fact statutory laws of the Republic of Uganda which demand joint decision making of both husband and wife, for example, the sale of land. This is most certainly the case also in other parts of the world. That some Iteso men or Ugandan men in general break the norm or the law, if you will, does not make their actions which negate the norm universal to Africa.

  "Women's Invisible Power" seemingly is located within that paradigm which views gender issues in Africa different from the way in which it views gender issues in the 'white' global-west. It seems firmly located in the paradigm that views African women as victims who need rescuing, as opposed to the woman of the "MeToo" campaign who has decided that "TimeIsUp". This is the trap that generates the "complexities in our work."

  I am a cultural anthropologist working among my own people. I had the opportunity to live and study in the United Kingdom (for 3 years) and in Canada (for 4 months). When it comes to gender issues, I find more similarities than differences between the practices of my people and of the British and Canadians of European descent , and by extension the global-west.

  As far as gender issues go, in fact, the greatest concerns for me, in my work as a female social scientist, have come from male 'colleagues', the 'highly educated' and those with accolades of formal academic qualifications; and not from the participants in the studies that I have conducted in Uganda.

  Whereas, you ask for "experiences of our friends in other locations", I thought I should also give an alternative view from Africa. But of course I am also interested to here what the experiences are from other locations.