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- Title
Critiquing African Traditional Philosophy of Chastity.
- Authors
Amenga-Etego, Rose Mary
- Abstract
The theoretical and methodological underpinning of chastity in many African communities raises serious questions in the contemporary context. As they are generally oriented towards the subordination and suppression of female sexuality, African women are re-examining tradition as they seek a new meaning and understanding of their lives in a rapidly transforming world. Within the context of feminist discourses, the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), modem African women possess the necessary opportunity and the tools to investigate, compare and challenge that which they perceive as injustice to their womanhood and humanity. Unfortunately, the prevalence of STDs and the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the African continent has led to the resurgence of some traditional notions of chastity as well as added new perspectives to the discourse. This paper explores the traditional concept of chastity within the complex dynamics of tradition and change from an insider's perspective, using the Nankani of Northern Ghana for illustrative purposes.
- Subjects
AFRICA; AFRICAN philosophy; CHASTITY; WOMEN'S sexual behavior; HUMAN rights; HUMANITY
- Publication
Studies in World Christianity & Interreligious Relations, 2014, Vol 48, p251
- ISSN
1873-9229
- Publication type
Article