Helen Kezie-Nwoha uses a post-colonial and feminist lens to deconstruct why the African continent has continued to be a site for conflict in the 21st century. Long-running wars have had devastating impacts on populations, and particularly on women, young women and girls. She argues that most of the conflicts can be blamed on the nature of transitions from colonialism. Her essay claims that states across the continent of Africa have never managed to detach themselves from the legacy of colonialism and connects the violent and militarized nature of these newly formed states to this legacy. Colonialism reinforced gender norms and marginalization, militarized masculinities and binaries, and endorsed a patriarchal hierarchy of knowledge.

This essay is part of a collection on feminist peacebuilding. Read the full collection of essays here.