Whispers of the body: Menopause,Silence, and the unheard histories of African Women

Abstract (English)

This paper explores Black African women’s experiences of menopause through a feminist lens, grounded in literature from the Gender and Sexuality course. It reflects on how androcentric knowledge production, cultural silence, and colonial histories have contributed to the erasure of women’s bodily experiences and voices. Using feminist ethnographic methods, the paper highlights the importance of culturally competent research and contextual sensitivity. It emphasizes the role of African feminist researchers in reclaiming women’s narratives, challenging dominant discourses, and validating the lived realities of marginalized women, particularly regarding menopause, sexuality, and reproductive history within Black African communities.