At Women Rising Strong, we are committed to sharing stories of resilience, hope, and strength. Today, we dive into the inspiring voice of Abi Daré, a Nigerian-born writer who uses her words to amplify the struggles of women facing both societal oppression and climate change. Daré’s work shines a light on the challenges Nigerian women endure, and how these issues are linked to deeper systemic injustices.

Abi Daré left her hometown of Lagos at 18 to pursue a life of education and opportunity in the UK. Her unique blend of Nigerian and British experiences deeply influences her storytelling, bringing the vibrancy and struggles of her homeland into the global conversation. Daré is part of a powerful group of Nigerian expat writers like Lola Shoneyin and Teju Cole, who write about the complexities of their home country from various corners of the world.

A Voice for Nigerian Women

In her debut novel, The Girl with the Louding Voice, Daré introduces us to Adunni, a young girl from a small Yoruba village. Adunni, despite her love for school and dreams of becoming a teacher, faces a grim reality. After her mother’s death, she is forced into child marriage and modern slavery under a ruthless employer in Lagos. This powerful story of one girl’s voice rising above the oppressive forces around her resonated globally, with the novel translated into over 20 languages.

Now, with her sequel And so I Roar, Daré dives deeper into the challenges young Nigerian women face—this time focusing on the devastating impact of climate change. In the story, Adunni’s village is ravaged by drought, which is tragically blamed on the women in the community, linking female fertility to the unpredictable whims of nature.

The Burden on Women

In Nigeria, there’s a cultural belief that women are closely connected to nature—fertile like the land itself. When natural disasters like droughts or floods occur, women are often held responsible, with some communities believing that a woman’s misdeeds or spiritual impurity can anger nature. Daré uses Adunni’s story to show how women, already carrying the heavy weight of societal expectations, are unfairly blamed for things completely out of their control.

The book highlights the huge divide between different classes in Nigeria. For someone like Ms. Tia, a wealthy character living in Lagos, climate change is an issue that can be discussed at conferences or tackled by choosing sustainable products at the supermarket. But for Adunni and millions of others, climate change is a daily fight for survival. It’s the reason their crops won’t grow, why they’re forced to leave their homes, and why they lose loved ones in floods and other natural disasters.

Climate Change and Women's Voices

Daré’s story is set against the backdrop of a real crisis in Nigeria. In recent weeks, devastating floods have displaced over 225,000 people and claimed more than 800 lives. Entire villages have been wiped out, and many dreams, like Adunni’s, have been shattered. These tragic events echo Daré’s message in And so I Roar—that without support and sustainable solutions, Nigerian women will continue to bear the brunt of climate disasters.

What can be done? Daré stresses that the responsibility lies with governments, international organizations, and corporations to take action. While local communities are doing their best to adapt, often with few resources, they need more support. Education, economic backing, and expert guidance are crucial to help these communities transform their temporary solutions into long-term, sustainable changes.

The Power of Education and Storytelling

For Daré, the power of education is at the heart of the change. In her novels, the main character, Adunni, dreams of going to school and one day becoming a teacher. Even though her access to education is blocked, she never gives up on the idea of learning. Instead, she starts writing, believing that “books tell the truth with eternal pen and ink, for longer than the writer who writes them.”

Daré, who studied in England for over 20 years, feels a deep responsibility to speak the truth about Nigeria. She believes in shedding light on the injustices and complexities of her homeland while sharing stories of resilience and hope. In Daré’s words, Nigerian girls like Adunni deserve to have their voices heard. They are intelligent, capable, and deserve more than the hardships they face.

Storytelling as a Form of Resistance

Telling these stories is not just a way to document the chaos and struggles faced by Nigerian women. It’s also a celebration of their beauty and resilience. For Daré and other Nigerian writers like Wole Soyinka, storytelling is an act of resistance, a way to make sense of a world filled with injustice. As Daré puts it, “It’s a cry of pain for what we endure, but also a shout of joy for who we are, despite everything.”

By amplifying these voices, we remind the world that the fight for women’s rights, education, and environmental justice is far from over. At Women Rising Strong, we believe in standing with women everywhere as they rise above the challenges they face—because when women rise, the world rises with them.

Let’s continue the conversation and work together for a better, more just future.

With love and strength,

S.A. Sterling

Source: This article is based on Katia D’Addona’s piece "La scrittrice Abi Daré: 'In Nigeria la siccità frantuma i sogni. La voce delle donne è un grido contro le ingiustizie'" from Il Punto del Corriere della Sera, Rassegna Stampa, Thursday, October 3rd, 2024.

Image Source: By Dudley Council from England - Abi Daré takes a seat with her book, The Girl With the Louding Voice, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons