Battling a ‘War within a War’: Challenges of Being Female in Africa

Abstract

Violence is a common phenomenon the world over, and it is about power, control, and the domination of the other. Gender-based violence is a social construct that is sometimes normalized based on gender ideals. During war, violence takes on a different role. It is viewed as an effective tool of domination of the other. Gender-based violence occurs not only to dominate but also to humiliate and to destroy one’s identity, and relationships. The African woman confronts the challenge of normalized gender-based violence and violence as a tool of war. This chapter examines this challenge to highlight health and human rights violations she is exposed to daily. Drawing from various examples, the author describes how gender-based violence is socially constructed and legitimized in Africa and shows how such legitimation enables gender-based violence during conflict situations. The chapter employs feminist and intersectionality frameworks toward highlighting complex social dynamics that inform gender-based violence in Africa.