In the 1800s, many European countries conquered other lands. They took the riches of these colonies and sent them back to Europe. This was known as colonialism. One of the lands Europeans took over was Africa. The people of African colonies were given few rights. They were forced to work for European rulers. European rulers did not allow women to work outside of the house. One reason for this was to prevent African women from organizing resistance movements. Records of the time mostly ignore women because they were only allowed to be mothers, wives, and housekeepers.

Colonial rulers and warrant chiefs in Nigeria

In the 1900s, many African countries started freedom movements. They fought back against European powers. These countries eventually won their independence. Women played an important part in this struggle. They are often overlooked, though. Women even fought in armed struggles against colonizers. Here we look at how women fought for independence in three parts of Africa.

European rulers generally only accepted men as leaders. Before colonial times, things were different. Some African societies had male and female leaders. However, European rulers would only work with male “chiefs.” In southeastern Nigeria, there were not any male chiefs. The British chose random men to be leaders. They called these men “warrant chiefs.” The warrant chiefs had great power. They replaced the old tribal leaders. This created an entirely new power structure in Nigeria.

Women also struggled to make money under colonialism. In many African societies before colonialism, women farmed. They also ran businesses. Most women were either farmers or traders. In southern Nigeria, families shared their land. They all farmed it together. That changed under the British. The British said that only men could own land. As a result, women could no longer make money growing crops.

Women participate in anti-colonial actions

Women fought back against unfair laws. In 1929, the British started unfairly taxing women in Nigeria. In response, women protested. They attacked colonial buildings. Women’s groups pushed for women’s rights. They helped spread a sense of nationalism, too. Nationalism is the idea that people should be able to rule themselves and have their own nation. Women helped build a sense of unity in Nigeria. This eventually led to the country winning its freedom.

In Egypt, women fought against colonialism as well. The British had taken over the country in 1882. By the early 1900s, many Egyptians were unhappy with British rule. They began to fight for independence. Saad Zaghloul led a group called the Wafd Party. It fought for freedom from Britain.

In 1919, the British forced Zaghloul to leave Egypt. Other Wafd members were kicked out as well. In response, Egyptian women organized the fight against British rule. They joined in protests and marches. Huda Shaarawi started the Egyptian Feminist Union (EFU). The EFU called for equal rights for women.

Women also fought against colonialism in Algeria. At the time, the country was controlled by France. Algerians formed a group called the National Liberation Front. Women supported it by raising money. They also served as spies in the Battle of Algiers. Women worked undercover. They hid messages and money under their clothes.

Fighting for independence

European rulers forced women out of jobs. They took property from women and removed them from government roles. Many things made it hard for women to fight colonialism. They had fewer rights than men. However, they still found ways to fight for independence.