Abstract

The paradigm of male domination exemplified by the social relations between the sexes is structured in a way that men dominate and women submit. As such, these socio cultural relations presuppose a dyadic conception of domination in which women are subject to men. If men are domineering and women are docile, then it is  contradictory to say women have power.  However, in line with Foucault’s idea on sexuality, this paper explores sexuality concretely in African context. It is against this background that this paper argues that women who are seen as powerful are not but symbol of subordination and subjugation. Thus, African women see gender as a fundamental controlling power that brings about social harmony.

Key words: Gender, power, sexuality, social harmony.