Date of Award

11-3-2024

Thesis Type

PhD

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Department

Gender Studies Programme

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

Teenage girls in rural, post-colonial, and indigenous (RPI) communities are often the most invisible and marginalised segment of society. While existing studies capture the limitations that patriarchy, religion, and traditional practices impose on girls, they generally ignore how rural girls navigate norms, negotiate value systems, and leverage their lived experiences to meet their interests. Within the study of power dynamics and gender relations in RPI communities, there is a recurring inclination to employ frameworks rooted in dominance in working with these communities. Studies show that these frameworks often reinforce Western biases, which commonly rely on stereotypes and misconceptions. Thus, a focus on victimisation and victimhood colours what scholars seek to know about girls, ultimately leading to the reinforcement of linear conceptualisations and misappropriations of their realities. This study scrutinises the concept of "invisible power", thus questioning and challenging assumptions that oppressed groups internalise their powerlessness, while seeking to reveal the complexities of rural teenage girls as social beings expressing agency, experiences, and visions for change—thus positioning them as legitimate voices in broader discourse. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the multifaceted, subjective, and relational nature of power by exploring the dynamic ways in which rural Jola girls in The Gambia (aged 18 and 19) conceptualised, navigated, and negotiated agency. By interpreting their power narratives and experiences, and analysing their visions for alternatives and social imaginaries, this study calls for a re-evaluation of conventional notions of power; re-imagining power constructs, points of departure, and lexicons in studies of rural girls and their RPI communities. Rooted in African feminisms (particularly Nego-feminism) as a theoretical framework, it emphasises the importance of context-specific knowledge and deferring to local voices. Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) underpin the methodology and prioritises storytelling and personal interviews with 40 rural girls, complemented by consultative interviews with 11 stakeholders (i.e., community and civil society leaders, community members, political analysts, and historians). The study challenges three common misconceptions: (1) the perceived abjectness of rural girls; (2) the static nature of RPI societies; and (3) the notion that cultural traditions inherently oppress girls. Key findings challenge these misconceptions by emphasising how rural Jola girls: (1) exercise power through pragmatic strategies, which are often tied to political influence; (2) perceive how power is intertwined with religious imperatives like truth, justice, morality, and honour; (3) navigate voice and silence strategically, not out of suppression but as a choice; (4) assert generational differences and empowerment, driven by increased access to education, visions for alternatives, and changing norms; and (5) are empowered by cultural traditions and IKS, which foster a sense of security and pride in their Jola identity. This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between power, voice, and cultural identity among rural Jola girls, thus challenging stereotypes and offering novel insights for the discourse on rural teenage girls, African feminisms, and power by advocating for a more inclusive understanding of and lexicon of power that dignifies girls’ experiences and communities.

Initial

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Additional Information

Thesis (PhD) – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 2024.

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