SOCIEDADES AFRICANAS E O CONCEITO DE GÊNERO: POSSÍVEIS CONTRIBUIÇÕES

The term “gender“ refers to the range of characteristics, behaviors, roles, and identities that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. Western approaches to gender and sexuality often fail to acknowledge African cultural plurality, presenting narratives that overlap and marginalize local experiences. This work seeks a critical reflection on the diverse definitions of gender and their practical implications in African societies, proposing a necessary dialogue from a more inclusive and grounded perspective. To understand the definitions of gender on the African continent, it’s essential to consider how colonization shaped pre-existing social ideals and structures. In many African societies, matriarchy was replaced by patriarchy starting with colonization, leaving remnants of the system in these societies. Cultural diversity and specific histories shape gender experiences on the continent, demonstrating that there isn’t a single way to understand gender, and its definitions vary according to each group’s region, culture, and history. The same can be applied to our society, as, despite presenting different characteristics, it exhibits conflicts arising from gender conceptions defined by a patriarchal society.