Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson and the Role of Women in Post-Colonial African Politics

Colonialism in Africa had a devastating impact on the participatory role of women in politics. Europeans introduced new perceptions of gender and practices that altered the traditional leadership roles of women in African societies. These changes often led to the marginalization and disempowerment of women in Africa in politics and development. Although in post-colonial Africa gender continues to mediate African women’s experiences and role in governance and politics, the election of Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson, Liberia’s first female president re-affirms the centrality of African women in politics and challenges the prevailing public/private dichotomy in African gender leadership discourse. This paper is based on the life and work of Ellen Sirleaf- Johnson to interrogate and re-examine the role and work of African women in politics. Evidence will be drawn from both secondary and primary sources. The study makes a contribution to African gender, leadership, and governance studies