Afro Feminism and 21st Century Migration Process: Enabling Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Advancement in Kenya

Abstract

Migration in Kenya and East Africa reflects trends in the Global South, driven by family ties, economic opportunities and better living conditions. Afro-feminism, according to Akwugo Emejulu and Francesca Sobande, grounds its analysis in the colonial and racial histories of European nation-states, emphasizing the lived experiences of black women. While Afro-feminism distinguishes itself from U.S.-centred Black Feminism by focusing on European contexts, it also addresses the unique challenges faced by African women, including gender inequality and economic disempowerment. This article examines how the 21st century migration, from an Afro-feminist perspective, advances women rights and gender equality in Kenya and East Africa. By analysing the experiences of migrant’s women, it highlights their role in driving empowerment and proposes policy considerations to democratic values such as accountability, transparency and openness.
Keywords: Afro-feminism, migration, gender studies, Kenya.