Subordination of Women in 21stcentury Africa: Cultural Sustainability or a New Slavery? Implications for Educational Development

Abstract

United Nations facts and statistics indicate that women constitute more than half the world’s population and do three-fourths of the world’s work. Yet women earn just one-tenth of the world’s income; own one percent of the world’s property; three-fourths of women are starving, and above all, represent over two-thirds of non-literate adults. Critically examining the above facts with regard to Africa’s educational development further reveals diminishing returns as well as an overall impediment to the politico-economic and socio-cultural transformation. In spite of recent token changes and appointments of women to political offices in many countries across Africa, girls and women remain relegated to a secondary human status in relation to boys and men. Against this background, this paper highlights the educational implications of the continued subordination of women to men.

Keywords: Women subordination, cultural sustainability, new slavery, educational development.