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The article relates the story of Jephthah's daughter, a young virgin who is introduced as she runs to greet her victorious father, and contemplates to the responses of Christian women in Africa whose lives have been limited by oppressive, hierarchical tradition. Accordingly, the author interviewed several African Christian women to hear their stories of how they have spent their whole lives in a rural setting. It has been found that the women were satisfied with themselves, even more, many had deep joy.

The article discusses the negative impact brought to African women and society by the dowry payment practice. Topics discussed include the introduction of the cash economy that led to the commercialization of the dowry, also termed as bride-wealth payment, the common practice of forced marriages in pastoralist communities in the country, and role of African women as a source of labor and a machine for giving birth.