On April 15th, 2025, I had a book reading hosted by the Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies at OAU. There were two panels, one led by students who had read some of my writing, and another by senior academics. I had a delightful time discussing feminism and gender, policy advocacy, lack of accountability for gender justice, inter-generational issues and other topics. This is an abridged transcript of our discussion of three of my books, Where is your wrapper?, Demand and Supply and A Tray of Locust Beans. Many thanks to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Banire and Professor Opeyemi Ekundayo, the Director of the CGSPS for their gracious hospitality.

“Professor Folashade Hunsu, Professor of Women’s Studies and Literature in English, OAU.

Considering your deep involvement in feminist discourse over the years, how would you rate the Feminism of Nigerian women academics? What more would you want them to do? 

Nigerian women academics have played a key role in shaping feminist theory and practice around the world. I would like to encourage Nigerian women academics to continue their legacy of courage, consistency and clarity and minimise the temptation to play into the hands of regressive forces by watering down feminist theories and misrepresenting the goals of the feminist movement.

I also encourage them to be in solidarity with the feminist movement in the country through research, thought leadership and mentoring. We need to be forward looking and stop taking steps back.You can also be community leaders. You are role models in your various communities and people look up to you.If you engage opinion leaders such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, philanthropists and politicians, they will listen to you.

What do you have to say to female enforcers of patriarchal order in our society?  How can this be minimised?

In order to sustain itself over time, patriarchy uses gate-keepers who ensure the maintenance of the status quo. These gate-keepers are responsible for passing on the relevant norms and values. This is how women get coopted into sustaining patriarchal order and ensuring cultures of silence when necessary. To these enforcers or ‘Patriarchal Queens and Princesses’, I say one day, you will become a victim of the oppressive system you are upholding. As Hillary Clinton once said, ‘You cannot keep snakes in your backyard as pets and expect that they will only bite your neighbours’.

“Prof Lanre Ikuteyijo, Professor of Criminology, Migration and Security Studies, OAU

From “One Fine Day”, where is the destination of the walker in this poem? Can we ever get a destination when all oppressions will end? Secondly, while walking to the destination, how do we avoid repeating the status quo and be sure we are not changing positions/classes? 

My walk is towards a vision of a transformed society, one in which all citizens are able to thrive regardless of their gender, ethnicity, age, location, physical ability. A society where there is value placed on the contributions of everyone, and one in which the commonwealth is shared with all and not amongst a few. We might never get to a destination where all oppressions end, but we will be able to achieve milestones and build consensus and alliances along the way for each generation to improve upon.

There is no social movement that should aim to replace one system of oppression with another as in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. We cannot replace a Patriarchy with a Matriarchy.We cannot encourage Misandry alongside Misogyny. We cannot become what we are fighting against.

From the short story “There are No Strangers Here,” which resonates so well with me as a migration scholar, what can women do or begin to do to nip the drivers of inter-ethnic/inter-religious crises in the bud? Secondly, women are often pushed to the background during the process of reconciliation and mediation in times of crises. How can women play more active roles in peace building and crises resolution?

In order to nip inter-ethnic/inter-religious crises in the bud, women should help build cultures of peace. As mothers, we should discourage our children from learning how to hate, discriminate and ‘other’. In our words, deeds and teachings, we should never encourage bigotry or xenophobia. We should never be found promoting religious or ethnic division. Growing up, we ate at the homes of our Muslim friends during their festivals and they ate at ours during our own celebrations. My mother would send us with baskets of Christmas lunch to all our neighbours, Muslim and Christians alike. That is no longer the case. Even religious leaders promote thesedivisions.Women (and men) should also desist from using cyberspace to wage wars and scale up conflicts.For women’s roles in peace-building and crisis resolution, we need to implement legal and policy frameworks that exist, and that make it mandatory for women to be fully involved in peace-building and conflict prevention. For example, UN Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security is explicit about the role of women in peace building, conflict resolution and prevention, as well as the imperative of women in leadership and political participation.Women need a seat at the table. If women’s presence and voices are missing, important perspectives and experiences are lost.

“Dr Oluwabunmi O. Oyebode, Associate Professor of English Language and Vice-Dean, Faculty of Arts, OAU

Two concepts are fundamentally addressed in the book, Demand & Supply. These are: ‘Voice’ & ‘Space’. Yet, you find out that State organs, that should help echo women’s ‘voice’ not to be silenced by tradition is at times compromised especially when the alleged perpetrator is an influential person in the society. What can survivors do when they hit this kind of brick wall?

First of all, we should make it unacceptable under the law for ‘Rape and Beg’ delegations to exist. This is something we championed in Ekiti State.What rape survivors can do is ensure that they tell their story, if they chose to do so. At least, it will be on record.Self-care and Healing is also important. They need access to psycho-social support for as long as they need it. Trusted family members and friends can play a key role here. They can also work with others on advocacy initiatives to bring about changes to laws or their implementation. Support groups are also important, they can workwith other survivors of sexual violence so they know they are not alone. Many survivors have also channelled their experiences into creative expression – Art, writing, music, story-telling. This helps with healing and rebuilding self-esteem.

Can you explain the difference between Feminism and Womanism.

Feminism challenges patriarchal systems, institutions and beliefs. When Alice Walker coined the term ‘Womanism’ in the early 1980s, she was making a case for an understanding of Feminism from the perspective of women of colour. While Feminism (as mostly defined by white women at the time) focused on addressing the needs, voices and choices of women, women of colour, especially African-American women, were concerned about multiple layers of oppression, their communities, and the different ways in which they experienced patriarchy from white women. Alice Walker emphasised that ‘Womanist is to Feminist as Purple is to Lavender’, meaning that they are not mutually exclusive concepts or frameworks.

the education of girls need to be removed – poverty, insecurity, household pressures, culture, sexual exploitation, technology, access to menstrual hygiene products for example. All schools from primary to tertiary, should be made safe for girls. There has to be zero tolerance for the sexual abuse and exploitation of girls in schools, right from primary school level. 

” Fasan Olumide Rachael

President, Nigerian Association of Psychology Students,OAU

In Demand and Supply, there were times where you highlighted the fact that collective silence and complicity in systems harm women.  Now, how do we as young people – especially students – interrupt this system without being silenced?

You have a right to speak your truth- as long as it is your truth. There is safety in numbers. Find out, who else is going through/has gone through this? You can work with organisations such as Gender Mobile who are running programs on safety and prevention of abuse in tertiary institutions. I however advise you do not talk about/repeat something that you have no way of verifying – that is character assassination.

I found the essay Damn it! relatable in a way. So, can I ask that while you’ve been faced with so many drawbacks and discouragement, what do you do to yourself that keeps the passion going? How do you personally navigate burnout or emotional exhaustion?

Self-care is important. Even if it is five minutes a day, clear your mind, don’t think of your worries, and focus on yourself.

Have a hobby. Sports, arts, games, reading, writing, anything that allows you to express yourself mentally or physically.Surround yourself with positive energy and do not carry baggage that is not yours. Avoid people or situations that trigger anxiety in you. Mind your own business

In Sheila’s Blues, her behaviour was misunderstood until a psychological lens was applied. My question is how can society better recognize silent mental health struggles especially in women who are seen as difficult or emotional?

Mental health is on a spectrum. We all need to familiarise ourselves with this, and be aware of how we might all be vulnerable at one point in time or the other in our lives, or someone close to us. We need non-judgmental support systems, empathy, compassion and patience. Most of us are unaware of what trauma means and how deeply it can affect people throughout their lives. We should also know where to go to for support. Places of worship have their own role to play, but they are not a substitute for professional medical opinions and interventions.We should stay away from triggers, for example social media, unnecessary peer pressureor toxic relationships.

” Titilayo Omolara Ayodele, Student, OAU

In a society where many women lack access to consistent support systems, what practical strategies can empower them to overcome systemic barriers and attain the highest levels of education?

Leave no room for self-doubt.Low self-esteem will lead you down many wrong turns. Prioritise investments in your education over anything else. In addition to whatever you are studying, learn a skill and engage in entrepreneurship if you can. Find a mentor.

In today’s society, how can women like Temi who have been abused in marriage and have had to flee for their dear lives, effectively seek justice within a system that often silences and overlooks their struggles?

I would say, if you can, keep a paper or documentation trail of the abuse such as photographs, videos, diary entries.  Seek support from women’s organisations who can help you, particularly organisations such as FIDA who use the law as a tool for women’s empowerment. Keep good friends and look for support within your family or around you. Economic independence is imperative, NEVER listen to a man who says you do not need a career or job of your own. You might enjoy it when the going is good, but if something goes wrong, you might end up destitute.

” Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac, President Students Union

Should women be considered for political positions to ensure gender representation or should competence remain the key criterion regardless of gender? How do we strike a balance between promoting inclusivity and upholding merit?

We can do both. It is important for fairness and equity. It is not acceptable to have 3.5% of women in our National Assembly. Ensuring merit has never been a problem, there is no dearth of competent and capable women. What we need, amongst many other things, is to level the playing field.

” Joy Kinfeosi Babatimehin, Secretary-General, Students Union

While female-based associations like the Nigerian Female Students Association aim to empower women, I sometimes worry that they might lose sight of the broader inequalities we face. How can we ensure that women in leadership don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, and that we are not trying to build a world where only women lead?

Spaces for women to think, network, learn and work in solidarity are absolutely important. The goal is not to prepare women to lead other women or be in a world in which only women lead. That is of course unrealistic. The goal is to ensure that women understand the layers of complexities and systems of inequality they have to contend with at various levels. Also, these spaces provide women with the tools to compete and thrive wherever they are and to become the best version of themselves possible.

•Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is a Gender Specialist, Leadership Coach, Policy Advocate and Writer. She is the Founder of Abovewhispers.com, an online community for women. She can be reached at [email protected]