Revisiting the legacy of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians today: A lesson in strength and perseverance

Abstract

This article sets out to do a historical review of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians from its inception to date. An appraisal of the challenges of the founding mothers will be critically analysed, how they were able to overcome obstacles as African women theologians in a society that is predominantly patriarchal and how the Circle was able to inspire African women to become subjects of their own histories, lives and stories. This article will reflect on the experiences of the founding mothers and how they were able to identify and reinterpreted some of the oppressive African cultures and strategies for overcoming them. The research methodology for this article will be qualitative. One of the major key players in the founding of the Circle � Mercy Amba Oduyoye � will be interviewed. It is expected that the wealth of experience of the legacy of Circle women theologians will help to resolve the current impasse within the Circle.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In this article, the author critically reviewed the legacy of African women circle theologians. This was done by examining the history of Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, their source of strength and how they were able to persevere over the years.Keywords: Legacy; The Circle; women; Theologian

Decolonizing and Decoloniality in African Women Theology

“…It is in this context that AWT and African women theologians have chosen to be advocates of gender justice and to transform the patriarchy that is prevalent both in places of worship and in society. 30 The Circle chose to include the word "concern" in their name to communicate their deep care for life and dignity for all Africans, not just women. They share a deep concern for the suffering, even death, and the silencing of women.…”

Re-framing women’s agency in #Blessed sex: Intersectional dilemmas for African women’s theologies

“…They have asserted women's agency and called for solidarity from male theologians in formulating alternative masculinities in order to renew culture, curb gender-based violence and mitigate HIV infection. A number of scholarly attempts to record the theological contribution of the Circle attest to this (Ayanga 2016;Fiedler 2017;Labeodan 2016). In assessing Circle publications as a whole, it becomes clear that at the heart of this body of work lies three assumptions.…”

Hélène Yinda’s African Feminist Approach to Liberation Theology

“…Hélène Yinda is a powerful and assertive figure in Francophone Africa, reflected in the leadership disintegration in The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (the Circle) after the 2007 Pan-African meeting that took place in Cameroon. According to Helen Labeodan (2016), it was at the Cameroon meeting, that most French-speaking members left the Circle and probably some of the sponsors as well. The Cameroonian experience highlights the personality of Matriarch Helene Yinda, who would have risen to the rank of general coordinator if given a chance as an active Francophone.…”