Gender and Cultural Discrimination: An x-ray of Ama Ata Aidoo’s The Dilemma of a Ghost

Abstract

Gender and cultural discrimination are pervasive issues that continue to plague societies around the world. Gender discrimination is the unequal treatment or opportunities afforded to individuals based on gender identity, and cultural discrimination involves the unfair treatment of people due to their cultural background, tradition, or belief. Culture plays a significant role in shaping the values, beliefs, and practices of a society. In Africa, where cultural diversity is vast, certain cultural norms perpetuate discrimination. Research has shown that gender discrimination often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, leading to compounded disadvantages for marginalised groups such as women. It is a known fact and literature has revealed that discrimination against women in Africa is often accompanied by widespread violence. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and early forced marriages are prevalent issues that women face. This study explores the intersection of gender and cultural discrimination in an African classic: The Dilemma of a Ghost By Ama Ata Aidoo. It adopts feminism as its theoretical framework and through a textual analysis; the study reveals how the play critique cultural practices and societal norms that perpetuate gender-based discrimination, oppression, and marginalization. The analysis highlights how the female protagonist’s experiences reflect the constraints of cultural expectations, patriarchal dominance, and the struggle for agency and autonomy. By exploring themes of gender roles, marriage, identity and power dynamics, this research demonstrates how culture can perpetuate discrimination against women and underscores the need for cultural transformation and gender equality.