March marks Women’s History Month, and for African women, one event that still holds a relevance today is the Aba Women’s Riot, also known as The Women’s War of 1929, in which thousands of predominantly Igbo women in eastern Nigeria mobilized to challenge British colonial rule and the barriers placed on women’s civic life.
In a new series of prints, the artist celebrates ‘the women who lend their voices and stood strong against the oppression of Africans
Nigerian visual artist Fred Martins began conceptualizing “Aba Women Riot” in 2019 while reflecting on the invaluable contributions women have made throughout history.
“I reflected on the power of femininity and how it has affected history on every stage and era of human civilization”
Fred Martins
He expanded on the connection between the historic demonstration and the movements towards liberation that came after, in which notable men are often revered.
“The Aba Women’s Riots was the game-changer that woke [up] Africa and reverberated the continent’s voice of freedom. The women’s resistance inspired the founding fathers of many African nations to seek independence. It was the wake of feminism in the 1900s Africa.”
Fred Martins
