Democracy Today.indb - Universidade do Minho

One cannot ignore here the proliferation of the radio and television
series and of course the music arena as some of the spaces being
used by young people to express their voices. From the music arena,
we see a move from classical love songs to political songs from the eyes
of young people castigating some of the ‘wrongs’ society is unleashing
on its young generation. Young women have not been left behind
in expressing transformative agendas through their use of voice. An
analysis of music generated by young women show a certain political
consciousness, whereby structures of oppression are exposed and
remedial governance measures appealed to. Again, in an earlier article
(Achieng 2005) I discussed at length the accelerated use of radio as
space where critical voice is increasingly being exercised.
The internet has become a common phenomenon in most African
cities and town centres. Although this means of communication is still
being used as a way of keeping in touch with friends, some groups of
young people are exploiting this means as a way of keeping abreast
governance issues. The controversial elections in Kenya in 2007 and the
violent aftermath that followed in its wake and that left many people
displaced and returned them to a state of destitution is clearly a case
in point. Blogs were set up that allowed public opinion on governance
issues of the day to be critically debated upon. Worth mentioning is the
current page ‘Mzalendo’ meaning Citizen, which is being run by two
young people. This Blog not only informs on pertinent issues but also
offers space for critical discussion among young people (women and
men alike). Indeed, the role of the media in building a consciousness
on governance issues especially among young African women cannot
be underestimated.
Despite all these forms of trials at social inclusion, young women
still face animosity at various levels. The question that begs further
research analysis is: Do young African women’s agendas lack a social
base? Are young women living in contexts which are still traditional
and conservative, meanwhile they are progressive and forward looking?
How do young women strive to bring about social change in the
face of relentless, repressive and exclusionary social structures? How
is society changing and how are young women using their agency to
negotiate new rooms for manoeuvre?
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YOUNG AFRICAN WOMEN
ENGAGE THE PUBLIC
SPHERE; PROSPECTS FOR
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY
INQUIRY?
Roseline M. Achieng