By Livinus Ayih (400 Level)
Nigerian female playwrights have been challenged to focus on the negative presentation of women in men’s literary expressions as a way of correcting certain stereotypes that portray women in bad light.
Delivering the 48th inaugural lecture series of the University of Jos, Irene Agunloye, a professor of African Drama and Women Studies implored women to use their writings to confront patriarchy and other culturally-imposed challenges facing women.
Prof. Agunloye who spoke on “Challenging the Masters’ Craft: Nigerian Female Playwrights in the Theatre of Men” said to truly reinvent women position in the contemporary literary works, women authors should do more to challenge the masters’ craft by correcting the debasement of women in the literary arena.
The lecture explored the literary efforts of Nigerian female playwrights to confront some of the female stereotypes, their contributions to the literary dramatic canon as well as the strategies employed by women to position themselves in the theatre of men.
Agunloye argued that in challenging the male dominated African theatre, Nigerian female dramatists should look at certain central issues that are common in feminist discourse, such as African perspective of feminism, victimhood, motherhood, silence, woman-to-woman oppression, discriminatory traditional practice and barrenness.
She, however, expressed delight over the growing number of women playwrights, adding that African women in the 21st century have come a long way and are now breaking through barriers and making waves in an area hitherto closed against them.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sonni Tyoden commended Prof. Agunloye for the lecture and for championing the cause of women through her literary collections that has gained her local and international recognition.
The vice chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration Prof. Musa Ibrahim said the university is gender friendly and many women academics have risen to the peak of their career and are well placed in the system.
Dignitaries at the lecture included principal officers of the university as well as family, colleagues, friends and associates of the guest lecturer.
