Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah: Feminism In African
Despite the common double standard and sexual abuse executed on women in Africa, there are a few figures that can be considered the pioneers of feminism in the continent.
Meet Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah: Symbol Of Feminism In African
She is the author of the blog Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women, is definitely on top of the list. Female sexuality in Africa had never been explicitly mentioned until Nana Darkoa started writing on it.
So, it’s safe to say that she opened the gate to a more gender-equal Africa.
CAREER & EDUCATION
The Ghanaian born writer went to London at a young age to study at the University of North London.
And has a bachelor in communications and cultural studies and masters in gender studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
At a time when blogging and social media were still new concepts, she put her passion for women empowerment into writing with her blog Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women.
The central theme of the blog was female sexuality and the freedom of its expression. The platform she created made it possible for African women to discuss sexual matters for the first time openly.
The inspiring blog received two awards as the best overall blog and the best activist blog at Ghana Blogging and Social Media Awards in 2013.
As a writer, she also worked for established newspapers like the Guardian. This Is Africa and Open Democracy. Her articles put a strong emphasis on violence and inequality as well as female activism.
One of her most thought-provoking articles in the Guardian was about feminism, where the cover photo was a nude selfie taken with her partner in the bed. This was in response to the backlash on Emma Watson for showing partial nudity in a Vanity Fair cover.
Nana Darkoa wrote that embracing and expressing one’s sexuality is necessary and essential in a world, where beauty has been squeezed into standards, and those outside the rules are judged harshly.
In addition to blogging and journalism, she wrote a book called the Communications Handbook for Women’s Rights Organizations.
She writes short stories about the sexuality of African women, which got published across the world. Bringing together the interviews she has with female figures of Africa, she published a collection called Women Leading Africa: Conversations with Inspirational African Women.
Activism is not limited to her writing, she has always partaken in non-profit organizations and contributed to the establishment of forums.
She is currently the Director of Communications at the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), and a member of the Black Feminism Forum Working Group.
Occasionally, she gives speeches at international festivals in Africa such as the Writivism Festival in Uganda and the Ake Arts, Book Festival in Nigeria and More
Her blog also put her on the top ranks of magazine lists of inspirational women.
