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This is a comparative critical study of five African women poets. It encompasses a critique of women poets selected from different parts of Africa. The poets are as follows: Konie, Hawoldar, Djabali, Rungana, and Amadiume. This study shows that if there is one characteristic that these poets share, it is the theme of patriarchy. In this sense, all the poems have broadly similar problems. But there are significant differences in the ways they react to patriarchy. For her part, Konie focuses on the equality of the sexes. The most remarkable feature uniting the poems of Hawoldar, Djabali, and Rungano is their conservative attitude, while Amadiume adopts a radical approach to patriarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses topics within the issue including contemporary French women poets, African women's poetry, and how 19th century women poets attempted to address issues relating to female struggles.