AFRICAN WOMEN'S FINANCIAL INVISIBILITY: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF JUSTINE MINSTA'S AWU'S STORY

Abstract

This study examines the issue of the financial emancipation of contemporary African women through the prism of the novel Histoire d’Awu by the Gabonese writer Justine Mintsa, written in 2000. Using an intersectional approach, the research explores how social identity, social conditioning, and socioeconomic issues intersect to create and perpetuate gender disparities in African contexts. The analysis focuses on the complex interplay between traditional gender roles and modern aspirations, exemplified by the protagonist Awu's struggle for economic empowerment. The study investigates the "breadwinner" vs. "breadloser" dynamic and its impact on women's financial autonomy. By situating the analysis within the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework, the research highlights the global significance of addressing women's financial invisibility in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper argues that achieving gender equality and women's empowerment requires addressing deeply rooted social norms, economic structures, and cultural expectations. It concludes by emphasizing the need for multifaceted approaches to promote women's financial empowerment, including challenging traditional gender roles, promoting education and entrepreneurship, and addressing systemic barriers through policy reforms and cultural shifts.