A Talk with Author Abi Daré
Her Novel Addresses Emopwerment of Nigerian Women
BY PAT N . & CAROL S .
Our Take
The FAWCO Education Team invited all the members of FAWCO to join a Zoom discussion with author Abi Daré about her bestselling novel The Girl With the Louding Voice on Sept . 8 , World Literacy Day . The book was chosen because of its focus on the significance of education for the empowerment of women . But it covers a series of other topics as well : poverty , culturally embedded oppression and abuse of women , the power of language , human rights , human trafficking , domestic slavery , and domestic abuse .
The main character of Abi Daré ’ s book is Adunni , a young girl from a rural village in Nigeria whose mother has instilled in her a passionate desire to receive an education and educate other girls as well . Her ambitions are thwarted when she is forced into marriage with a much older man to save her family from financial ruin . Through a series of life-and-death adventures , she manages to escape from her marriage but then is sold into domestic servitude to an abusive woman in the city of Lagos . Despite extremely adverse circumstances , Adunni continues her pursuit of education . With the help of a neighbor , Ms . Tia , who has been educated in England and understands the power of education for women , Adunni wins a scholarship to a girls ’ school that places her on the threshold of realizing her dreams .
We experienced Abi Daré as an attractive , self-confident , and highly motivated young writer . In contrast to Adunni , Abi was fortunate to have been born into an educated family interested in furthering her education . Her mother was the first female professor of taxation in Nigeria and even wrote a book on taxation while raising her daughter as a single mother . Abi was motivated to create a truly memorable character in a master ’ s class in creative writing
Venita K .: Even though I thought many parts of this book seemed predictable , the fast pace shined a light on the plight of underage girls in Nigeria robbed of an education by an early marriage in their village ... only to seek escape to the city where it is even more dangerous for a 14-yearold to be a housemaid . A hopeful look at what hard work and kindness can achieve , even in the darkest circumstances . That one “ giving a break “ to someone can make all the difference .
Marilya R .: I ’ ve spent the pandemic at Zoom readings by authors on a weekly basis ( for courses I teach and to keep up with various authors I at Birkbeck College of the University of translate ). I have a very high bar , but
London . Thus arose the spunky , cheerful , this event did not disappoint . Author and highly resilient character of Adunni , Abi Daré was clearly invested in giving who tells her story in first person , us a nuanced and genuine experience , and she responded to our ques- speaking a language — based on English , Yoruba , and Pidgen English — that Abi created for her . The
tions with thoughtful and considered replies that belied the fact that she ’ s figure is based on experiences Abi probably answered similar questions had growing up in Nigeria , where countless times over . I came away young girls from poor families often have feeling inspired to re-read the novel in to forgo schooling in order to earn money order to see it anew through the lens for their families as domestic laborers . In of the details she mentioned .
Nigeria and elsewhere , their plight seems Pat N .: It was an interesting session . What a confident and eloquent to be invisible to their wealthy employers , who simply take them for granted . For Abi , young woman Abu Daré is ! I wasn ’ t it did not suffice that Adduni have a loud really that enthused about the book , voice but rather a “ louding ” one that can a gripping story well-told but not extend to others in the world . As Abi Daré a literary sensation . However , after explained , her book seems to have opened learning what went into the book and the eyes of at least some employers to support the education of servant girls . Abi also the effect it has had in Nigeria , I am humbled . Good for Abi , and good for discussed how her book emphasizes the
FAWCO for picking up on it . importance of acts of kindness in making differences in a person ’ s life . tion ” and its commitment to achieve the The Girl With the Louding Voice clearly Sustainable Development Goal # 4 : Quality
promotes the FAWCO mission “ to increase Education by 2030 . We can look forward to awareness of global issues in educa- another such session in 2022 .
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