Professional Black South African Women Speak Out in Resistance to Patriarchy: Overcoming Barriers to Self Development

The professional and social spaces occupied by educated Black South African women are arenas marked by multifaceted challenges and struggles. This study looks into the resistance strategies employed by Professional Black Women (PBW) against patriarchal norms and the ways they navigate cultural, gender, and self-development barriers. Utilizing a qualitative research design grounded in the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach, the study aims to elucidate the lived experiences of PBW as they confront various barriers. The purposive sample comprises three professional Black women pursuing doctoral degrees and serving as lecturers within higher education institutions. This paper illuminates the familial and cultural patriarchal structures that impede PBW’s journey towards self-development. Through their narratives, it becomes evident that PBW actively resist patriarchal influences within their cultural context, recognizing these norms as hindrances to their personal growth. Their resistance signifies a paradigm shift towards prioritizing self-development and forging independent identities. The study applies an intersectional lens to analyze the interconnectedness of themes, highlighting the complex interplay between intra-cultural patriarchal oppression and PBW’s aspirations for self-realization. By focusing on familial and cultural barriers, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the experiences of Black South African women in their quest for empowerment and autonomy.