What is the function of the soul in society? In culture, in religion, in politics? Emotionally, what role does the soul play? If the understandings that women held about the soul had the same historical significance and public presence that those of men do, in what ways would the soul be encoded into spiritual, cultural,…
Stereotypical portrayals of African women in the media
My TEDx Talk has become a book! It’s only available in Spanish for now with a foreword by Raquel Lainde. As I revisited the talk, it occurred to me that I’ve not published it here on the blog by which it is inspired. The talk conceptualised three key stereotypical and limiting representations of African women…
The story behind African feminism posts rooted in critical theory, philosophy and mythology
A few weeks ago, I had a phone conversation with the founder of Òrò Àníké, an invigorating space dedicated to exploring pre-colonial African history in a holistic way. We spoke about Lagos life, feminine ancestry, Oyalogy, gender binaries, philosophy, Kemet, African feminist lineage, Afropolitanism.., all my favourite topics in other words. I really enjoyed the…
New podcast feature on black feminism, women’s liberation, Ancient Egypt and more…
Hey everyone! Sharing a link to an interview on the Badass Women’s Hour podcast, which lives up to its name. I’m so grateful to be able to bring my views to exciting spaces like this. Our wide-ranging discussion covered everything from the difference between liberal and radical feminism, between growing up in Nigeria and in…
The MeToo movement: opportunities and challenges
This post was originally published in The RSA journal (Issue 1, 2018) with the title “A critical moment for Feminism”. It argues that to truly challenge the status quo, the MeToo movement should encourage a historical and critical lens to hot button feminist issues such as inclusivity, globalisation and gender identity. Image via the RSA’s Medium pages. If…
My take on the sex robot debate
Considering how likely it is that owning a sex robot will be increasingly commonplace within the next ten to twenty years, I’m concerned that there is so little critical reflection on what male sex robots might mean for women. Almost all the news and commentary is about female sex robots, and how they’ll apparently make…
The future of feminism must be fearless, illuminating and global-minded
Never before has feminism been as mainstream as it is today. Celebrities like Beyoncé, Cardi B and Taylor Swift have popularised the term, as have major brands, Dior, Acne, H&M, to name a few. Feminism has also become a lucrative way to sell a product or service through “femvertising” as the strategic incorporation of feminist…
Sex for women and men
sex for women: two days before date with lover-to-be: skip breakfast. remove all evidence of hair on legs, armpits, labia, around anus, inside nose, moustache, toes, arms; wherever there’s a follicle, uproot its produce. with the exception of the follicles on your head of course. those follicles are okay, massage them, oil them, style their produce. go to…
Why philosophical reflection is a feminist goal
In my most recent column at the Nigeria Guardian, I argue that gender inequality is a predictable result when a society disengages from philosophical reflection. You can read it here or below. In ancient times, Nigerian women had access to spiritual and political power, and women and men were historically seen as equal in many…
Is there an authentic African position on feminism?
If you are interested in pan-Africanism then chance are that you have visited the pages of the African Holocaust, “a non-profit civil society dedicated to the progressive study of African history and culture.” At least I have found useful information on the website while researching topics that have to do with African history. The platform is…
Tradition matters for female farmers, and female farmers matter for everything.
Reposting my latest column for The Guardian Nigeria, which was there titled “When it comes to agriculture, we need to talk about tradition”. If you have any thoughts about this, leave a comment. Here’s what I had for breakfast some days ago: Akara and Fura yoghurt. For dinner that same day, I ate pounded yam with Efo…
The clitoris is finally getting attention
Reposting my latest comment for The UK Guardian, which was there titled “This is a 3D model of a clitoris – and the start of a sexual revolution”. The article has generated a lot of discussion and many questions, including enquiries where to gain further understanding of the clitoris’s relation to the vulva. This discussion is…
Poverty, power, feminism
Reposting my latest column for The Guardian Nigeria, which was there titled “I agree, poverty is a more pressing issue than feminism”. If you have any thoughts about this, leave a comment. 1. Physiological needs. 2. Safety needs. 3. Love needs. 4. Esteem needs. 5. Self-actualisation. The above, according to Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of needs”, lists…
Mutuality – the answer for women and men who want peace
I loved this Guardian feature on Mia Couto, the Mozambican writer who was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Award this year. Speaking of Mozambique, he said the following: “It’s a very patriarchal society, with high levels of violence against women. Women are ‘eaten’ by their society and by life itself.” I find the metaphor…
What is beauty?
There are three types of beauty, 1) Political Beauty, 2) Artificial Beauty and 3) Genuine Beauty. This is what I argue, among other things, in Pretty, a documentary series exploring different ideas of beauty across the globe. Watch my episode in the clip below. Then if you would like to hear more of my thoughts…
Black or woman?
In a forthright interview published in The Guardian on Saturday, the eternally inspirational Toni Morrison reflects on Obama’s upcoming end of term. And on Hilary Clinton, she says, I respect and appreciate her. It was difficult in the beginning to choose between her and him. I didn’t want to do the, ‘Which is better? Gender or race? The…