Women and Leadership in Africa and the Middle East

"This volume delves into the pivotal and timely subject of female leadership in Africa and the Middle East. It examines the paradox whereby women continue to achieve remarkable educational successes; while confronting enduring obstacles to the authentic acknowledgment of their leadership within the spheres of power. An exceptional and insightful contribution to contemporary discourses surrounding the multifaceted roles of women in challenging and dismantling entrenched structures of power and authority in leadership positions at all levels."

—Fatima Sadiqi, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar

"Born of an unusual collaboration and boldly bestriding two major regions of the world, this book intentionally inscribes African and Middle Eastern experiences, scholarship, and perspectives in the accounts of women’s engagements with leadership in those regions. The chapters cover a broad range of leadership contexts, disrupt previously held theories of women’s leadership, and accord theoretical and analytical respect and dignity to the people and places included in this study. Scholars, students, leaders, and policy makers have much to learn from it."

—Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, Brandeis University, USA

History demonstrates that women’s ascent to or absence from leadership positions is contingent on the various political, cultural, social, and professional contexts they are situated in. This edited collection on women and leadership is a contribution in this regard. It aims re-conceptualize the contexts that either enable or restrain women’s ascent to leadership positions, by drawing on case studies from Morocco and Nigeria as well as a widened perspective covering Africa and the Middle East. The collection includes chapters that address more specifically the policies, practices and (mis)representations affecting African and Middle Eastern women’s aspirations for leadership roles and positions. As such, it contributes to the advancement of reflection on issues related to women and leadership.

Hanane Darhour is professor of English Studies, Gender and Politics at Ibn Zohr University, Morocco.

Touria Nakkouch is professor of English and Comparative Studies at Ibn Zohr University, Morocco.