History demonstrates that women’s ascent to or absence from leadership positions is contingent on the various political, cultural, social, and professional contexts they are situated in. But we do not fully understand why structural changes alone do not lead to a genuine recognition of women’s leadership capabilities. This edited collection on women and leadership is a contribution in this regard. Drawing on case studies and examples covering African countries, it aims to re-conceptualize women’s leadership by providing an analysis of a wide range of contexts and power dynamics that either enable or restrain African women’s potential. The collection includes chapters that address more specifically structural and agency factors affecting women’s engagement with leadership roles in diverse selective, elective, conventional and non-conventional forms of leadership in Africa. As such, it contributes to the advancement of new avenues of thought on issues related to women’s leadership as a whole.
