Grassroots feminist economies are potent agents of change, championing economic empowerment and social justice in a landscape marred by systemic barriers and patriarchal structures. Deeply rooted in informal activities and harnessing African logic, values, and norms, the economies transcend mere survival strategies and embody resistance against material deprivation and social exclusion. Colonial intrusion left a profound impact on Africa’s socio-economic fabric, exacerbating poverty and inequality while undermining local governance and social services. Yet, women—often unsupported by political and economic elites prioritizing foreign investments—mobilize their collective strengths through the African principle of utu-ubuntu. This philosophy, encapsulated in the motto “I am because you are and because you are, therefore, I am,” promotes an inclusive economic framework that fosters solidarity, resource sharing, and communal well-being.
Integrating utu-ubuntu into the global economic discourse will dismantle the destructive survival-of-the-fittest mentality, promoting harmonious coexistence and collective agency. Grassroots feminist economies are not just essential for individual and communal thriving; they are fundamental in fostering sustainable development that prioritizes the experiences and needs of marginalized women, ultimately crafting a more equitable economic landscape that transcends the limitations of neoliberalism.
