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Women in Freetown politics, 1914–61: a preliminary study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2011

LaRay Denzer
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Extract

The study of women in Sierra Leone has been well launched. Except for the work of Carol P. MacCormack (formerly Hoffer) on political leadership and socio-economic development among Mende and Sherbro women (1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982), most of this scholarship focuses on women in Freetown, mainly the Krio. Filomena Steady (1975, 1976) has analysed Krio women's leadership in church and political organisations. The history of their economic contribution to the evolution of the city has been discussed by E. Frances White (1976, 1978, 1981a, b). Gender relationships in modern marriage have been examined by Barbara Harrell-Bond (1975). In addition, there are a number of biographical studies of prominent leaders: Paramount Chief Madam Yoko (Hoffer, 1974), Adelaide Casely Hayford (Okonkwo, 1985; Cromwell, 1986), Constance A. Cummings-John (Denzer, 1981, forthcoming a, b), Hannah S. Benka Coker (Metzger, 1973: 50–2), and Lottie Hamilton-Hazeley (Metzger, 1973: 52–3). On the basis of this body of work it is possible to study more closely the contribution of women in modern politics in Freetown and the socioeconomic forces behind their participation. This account covers the period from the emergence of the proto-nationalist movement, the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA), up to the campaign for independence.

Résumé

Les femmes et la politique de Freetown, 1914–61: étude préliminaire

L'article en grandes lignes décrit les organisations créées par les femmes du Sierra Leone et le role qu'elles ont joué dans la politique de Freetown entre la première guerre mondiale et l'lndépendance. L'article commence avec les auxilaires des femmes dans les branches locales des mouvements panafricains, et examine ensuite l'impact de la Ligue de la Jeunesse d'Afrique occidentale dans les années 30; en 1940, il existait deux syndicats de femmes. Finalement, en 1951, le mouvement féminin du Sierra Leone commença sous la direction de C. A. Cummings-John et autres. Bien que les femmes s'avérèrent des alliées inestimables et jouèrent toujours un rôle important de militantes, il resta néanmoins une certaine réticence à nommer des femmes aux fonctions publiques.

Type
History and politics
Information
Africa , Volume 57 , Issue 4: Sierra Leone, 1787-1987 , October 1987 , pp. 439 - 456
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1987

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