Paper long abstract:

Feminism is not homogenous. Western feminism has been criticized for its inability to relate to the realities of Black African women. Culture is a significant component in feminist discourse. African feminism aspires to address the needs of Black women in Africa within their own contexts. Africa's past is significant in discoursing African feminism. There are different strands of African feminism that exist in disharmony. Feminist ideals carry a societal stigma. Wangari Maathai projects different strands of African feminisms in her activism and achievements. Western education presents a dilemma and "double consciousness" for African women. Men are an integral part of feministic pursuits. The cultural and political agency determines the course of feministic pursuits.

Keywords: feminism, Africa, women, Wangari Maathai, culture

Eunice Wangui Stuhlhofer is a licensed psychotherapist residing in Austria where she works for Caritas, providing therapeutic services to refugees and migrants. Eunice is a Postdoc fellow of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a nominated Expert of the European Commission on migration, integration, and asylum. She is keen on combining psychotherapy practice and research. Previously, Eunice has investigated the role of culture in the development and manifestation of mental disorders such as anorexia nervosa among the Kenyan female population.

Eunice's doctoral thesis investigated the lived experiences of Kenyan female migrants in Austria. Her acclaimed dissertation provided an overarching deep theoretical background on Africa and Kenya and the results argued for an innovative shift in discoursing international African migration. This project will shape her future research endeavors.

Eunice's research interests include international African migration; gender, culture, and its influence on mental illnesses, cultural trauma.

Contact: wstuhlhofer@yahoo.com

Website: www.talkingspace.at

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