In Our Own Voice by Julia Okoh.

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Introduction

In Our Own Voice by Julia Okoh. It is a collection of essays and speeches written by Okoh, a prominent Nigerian playwright, educator, and feminist activist. Published in 2004, the book addresses various issues faced by women in Nigeria, particularly focusing on:

Gender inequality and discrimination: 

Okoh challenges the patriarchal structures that disadvantage women in Nigerian society, advocating for equal rights and opportunities.

 Violence against women: 

She sheds light on the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse faced by women, calling for stronger legal and social mechanisms for protection.

 Education and empowerment: 

Okoh emphasizes the importance of education for girls and women as a key factor in achieving progress and challenging existing inequalities.

 Cultural practices and traditions: 

She critically examines certain traditional practices that perpetuate gender roles and limit women's autonomy, advocating for positive cultural transformations.

 Women's agency and activism: 

Okoh highlights the voices and actions of Nigerian women who are actively working to improve their lives and communities, urging further collective action for social change.

"In Our Own Voice" is a powerful and insightful collection that provides a valuable perspective on the experiences of women in Nigeria. It remains relevant and thought-provoking today, sparking important conversations about gender equality, justice, and human rights.

According to her in Towards Feminist Theatre in Nigeria" 2012, Okoh stated:

The concept of gender equality that focuses on women's rights has come a long way, and feminist literature has played a major role in bringing about changes in the attitude towards women. Yet, a long battle still lies ahead, for it will take a long time for gender equality and the role of women in society to be well understood and accepted in the ideal sense... As for me, I have chosen the medium of the theatre as my pulpit for that purpose. I have tried to reach out to the world with my theatre practice based on feminist principles and techniques.

Okoh has written and directed over 30 plays, many of which have been published, as well as critical essays and articles in both French and English on theatre, cultural, and gender issues. Okoh's work overview was 21 works in 25 publications, which were in 1 language and stored in 145 library holdings.

One of her most successful plays is Edewede, first performed at the University of Port Harcourt in 1998. It aims to convince Nigerian women that excision is a tradition to be avoided, presenting it as a harmful practice. The play includes traditional women's dances and songs, sometimes subversively. Using a lengthy sex strike as a device, the women vote to ban excision. Excision is also the theme of In the Fullness of Time, in which the audience is encouraged to participate in voting or in singing and clapping.

Her plays include:

Mask: A Play for Schools and Colleges

1997: The Mannequins

2000: Edewede: The Dawn of a New Day

2000: In the Fullness of Time

2002: Who Can Fight the Gods?

2005: Aisha

2007: Closed Doors

2008: The Trials

2009: A Haunting Past: Drama

2010: Our Wife Forever: Drama

2014: Cry for Democracy

2018: Thorny Path