Religion, gender-based violence and silence: A radical feminist reading of women’s agency in Chika Unigwe’s novel, Esther Mavengano, Theological Studies | Vol 80, No 1 | a10210

Abstract

The intersection of religion, culture, and gender-based violence (GBV) sparks critical debates in feminist scholarship and activism. Despite progress in addressing violence against women, harmful cultural and religious practices persist in Africa. Chika Unigwe's novel The Middle Daughter illustrates these dynamics, following Nani, a woman ensnared in an abusive marriage by a manipulative preacher. Through her ordeal, Nani's silent resilience challenges sociocultural and religious norms.
This study uses a radical feminist lens to critique "soft" African feminisms, arguing they inadequately address the entrenched double standards of religio-cultural systems that perpetuate women's oppression. It calls for a more assertive feminist activism to dismantle these systemic barriers.