This book breaks new ground in understanding how modern society has shaped women's knowledge system in Africa and deconstructs long-held myths about the position of ordinary women in the construction of knowledge.

"Many scholars of women in development in Africa will be pleased by the appearance of this book on the scholarly scene, because it is accessible and fills an existing academic lacuna by providing both the elucidation and the much-needed new theoretical thrust on women in Africa, beyond what we have heard in the past. I strongly believe that many teachers of gender and women s studies, history, and anthropology as well as general readers keen to know more about women in Africa will be intrigued with the issues discussed in the book." - Maurice Amutabi, Assistant Professor of History, Central Washington University

"Few works attempt to overturn an entire paradigm; this is one. With an insider s sensibility and original research, Swai controversially argues that uplifting Western-style education in fact undermines rural African women s key systems of knowledge production - as well as their social relationships. A must-read for African historians, development professionals, and educators." - Teresa Barnes, Associate Professor, History and Gender & Women s Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

"Beyond Women's Empowerment in Africa is a timely addition to the literature on women s empowerment. Its critical and historical approach, focusing on the experiences of ordinary women in Tanzania, makes it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the paradoxes of empowerment in relation to the lived experiences of women in a developing country." -Shad Nasong'o, Assistant Professor and J.S. Seidman Research Fellow, Department of International Studies, Rhodes College

Autorentext
ELINAMI VERAELI SWAI is an assistant professor in the Department of Women's and Gender Studies, University of Toledo, USA.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements Introduction Understanding Dislocation: Concepts and Claims Women's Knowledge Systems: Toward Ambivalence and Silences Speaking through Fashion: Khanga as Women's Knowledge System Inside Society: The Role of Women's Knowledge Systems in Africa's Development The Genesis of Women Disempowerment: the Case of Kilimanjaro Knowledge is Power and Power is Knowledge: The Politics of Women's Empowerment Conclusion Bibliography