International Journal of
Information and Education Technology

Abstract

The psycho-social impact of childlessness and the patriachal nature of the African society on women has been greatly undermined in literature. Factors influencing such impact borders on gender roles and prefrence of male child over female, so much so that the traditional African woman's human rights has been greatly infringed upon. Efunsetan Aniwura is an example of such African women who stood against male chauvinism and gender inequity in her time. She wielded economic power and owned a household full of slaves. As her name depicts “Aniwura” meaning “owner of Gold”, was a woman of wealth and spiritual depth in power and authority. This study adopted a psychohistorical exploration of oral and written records on the mental health impacts of patriachy and male chauvinism on women's psychosocial well-being in Africa with a focus on the traditional Yoruba Society in Nigeria. Psycho-historical exploration of the African society and its traditional role of silencing women in the past is rare. This method will no doubt assist in the creation of enabling environment for further research focusing on women’s psychopathology in Africa. It is however not a justification of the terrible acts of despotic leaders, but a mental health case presentation.