New Monograph by UKZN Scholars Explores Gender Methodologies in Africa

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Professor Vivian Ojong, the Dean of Research in the College of Humanities, and Professor Radhamany Sooryamoorthy, a Professor and Fellow, have published a monograph on gender research in Africa.

This monograph explores methodologies, relevant theories and analytical frameworks used in gender research, with a particular focus on the African context. It examines methodological developments in gender and feminist research, especially those that centre on African women, their lives, and their experiences in a gendered society.

The book highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of gender methodologies, framing them as adaptive and dialogic, particularly within Africa’s local contexts. It critically assesses the extent to which these methodologies challenge the historically marginalised role of women in knowledge production and contribute to transforming gender relations.

Professor Nakanyike Musisi of the University of Toronto endorsed the book, stating: “Gender Research in Africa is an insightful and timely contribution that powerfully bridges theory and lived experience. It offers a rich array of methodological and conceptual tools for understanding gender on the continent… an indispensable resource for scholars, students, and practitioners committed to transformative knowledge.”

Reflecting on the writing process, the authors said: “What motivated us most was the realisation that there is a noticeable gap in the literature that integrates gender theories and research methods in a way that is both accessible and grounded in the African context. Time and again, we heard from students, colleagues, and fellow researchers who longed for a text that could guide them not only in understanding key gender concepts but also in applying them practically within their own work.”

“We believed that with our combined experience and mutual trust, we could create something meaningful that would speak to a real need in the academic and research community.”

The book is published by Routledge.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photographs: Supplied