ISSN 3121-8571
Abstract
This paper comparatively examines how feminist movements in Nigeria and Sudan have constructed and mobilised narratives about women’s empowerment within distinct political and historical contexts. Drawing on framing theory, postcolonial feminist theory, and Foucauldian discourse analysis, the study conceptualises empowerment as a contested political narrative rather than a neutral development outcome. In Nigeria, empowerment discourse has evolved from nationalist women’s activism associated with Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti to policy-driven and digitally mediated movements such as the Feminist Coalition. In Sudan, feminist narratives were forged through resistance to authoritarian Islamisation under Omar al-Bashir and gained global visibility during the 2018–2019 revolution, symbolised by Alaa Salah and evolving into a decentralized survival-based movement during the 2023 conflict. Activism shifted from a Khartoum-focused model to diverse, nationwide initiatives. Even in conservative regions, local women's groups have risen to lead and Feminist Emergency Response Rooms (FERRs) came as a result of women-led (WLOs) feminist activism, navigated the spaces left empty by international aid agencies. The analysis demonstrates that empowerment in Nigeria is largely framed through institutional negotiation and development policy, whereas in Sudan it is rooted in revolutionary citizenship and resistance. Across both cases, digital activism amplifies feminist claims while exposing movements to backlash and securitisation. The study contributes to African feminist political theory by highlighting narrative framing as political infrastructure and challenging universalist empowerment metrics.
Keywords: Women’s empowerment; African feminism; Nigeria; Sudan; digital activism; narrative framing; postcolonial feminism; political development.