Born on November 10, 1957, in Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, Nigeria, Professor Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí is a renowned sociologist, gender scholar, and a key figure in African studies. A professor at Stony Brook University, she completed her undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Ibadan before advancing to graduate studies in sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her work challenges Western notions of gender, notably in her acclaimed book, The Invention of Women (1997), where she argues that Western gender categories don’t apply universally, especially within Yoruba culture, which historically prioritizes seniority over gender.
Oyěwùmí’s scholarship critiques Western influence in African studies and calls for a distinctive African Gender Studies field, separate from Western feminist frameworks. Her approach has reshaped gender discourse in African contexts and earned her the African Studies Association’s 2021 Distinguished Africanist Award, celebrating her outstanding contributions to the field.
Her ideas have sparked dialogue across scholarly communities, as she argues that historical Eurocentric perspectives fail to represent African societies. While some critics challenge her conclusions, her pioneering insights continue to influence the study of gender and culture globally.
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