African feminism has undergone a dynamic evolution from early influences of Western feminist thought to the development of a distinctly African discourse rooted in local cultural and social contexts. This paper explores the unique features of African feminism, highlighting how it addresses the intersecting oppressions of gender, race, and class. Rather than replicating Western models, African feminism emerges from specific historical experiences and prioritizes collective empowerment alongside personal liberation. African women writers, such as Mariama Bâ, Buchi Emecheta, Bessie Head, and others, have played a central role in articulating this perspective through literature that foregrounds the lived experiences of African women.

The paper analyzes key themes such as the burdens of patriarchy and colonialism, the diversity of female resistance strategies, and the structural barriers that continue to impede women’s liberation. It further examines multiple pathways of female development, emphasizing the role of education, motherhood, economic independence, and the negotiation between tradition and modernity. Through literary analysis, this study reveals that African women’s growth is not only a personal journey but also a reflection of broader societal change. African feminism, therefore, is both a theoretical framework and a lived practice that redefines female identity in postcolonial Africa. Ultimately, the paper argues that African women's agency and resilience are central to the continent’s cultural and social transformation.

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