Product Description

There is no true social revolution without the liberation of women, explains the leader of the 1983-87 revolution in Burkina Faso. Workers and peasants in that West African country established a popular revolutionary government and began to combat the hunger, illiteracy, and economic backwardness imposed by imperialist domination.

Also available in: French; Spanish; Farsi

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5620963 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 93 pages

Customer Reviews

the emancipation of women and the emancipation of Africa
These two issues strike at the heart of many struggles today. Sankara was the leader of a 1983 anti-imperialist revolution in the west African nation of Burkina Faso (known as Upper Volta in colonial times). He is unsparing in his condemnation of those who assert that traditional African values justify the isolation and oppression of women.

He calls on women to rise against the sexism of tribal, neo-colonial and capitalist eras that prevent their equal participation in society. He explains to male Burkinabe workers and peasants the necessity of this in order to fight for the liberation of their nation from colonialism and capitalism.

"...a gem of a pamphlet..."
Among the many useful titles on women's liberation published by Pathfinder Press sits a gem of a pamphlet titled Women's Liberation and the African Freedom Struggle. It contains the full text of a speech given by Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of the West African country Burkina Faso (formally Upper Volta) until his assassination in 1987.

Sankara gives his speech to thousands of Burkinabe women gathered to commemorate International Women's Day on March 8, 1987. His speech is bereft of the dogma and the rhetoric normally seen in capitalist politicians and is remarkably direct but sincere.

Sankara devotes a good portion of the speech detailing the specific challenges confronting African women in pursuit of their liberation on the continent. Based on a Marxist understanding of the development of class society he points to this fact as the origin of women's oppression.

Sankara puts the fight of Burkinabe women as part of the struggle for women's liberation world wide. A special strength of the speech is when Sankara stresses how the emancipation of women goes hand in hand with "the struggle for the rehabilitation of our continent".

For supporters of women's rights this pamphlet is a must read.

Africa Women Revolution all together and real
Sankara's speech isn't abstract rhethoric--what we used to call rapology int he days of the civil rights movement. It is practical leadership by a real revolutionist battling reaction, imperialism,and the weight of history, in a battle that he would give his life to. Listen to these words for what they say about the realities of the need to liberate women not just in Africa but throughout the World!


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