Exploring Nego-Feminism in Shoneyin's the Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

Female fictional writers in Nigeria have won critical acclaim in women struggle. Efforts by some writers to address issues regarding women have largely emphasized radical non-negotiable approaches perhaps as it was thought that injustice against women should not be negotiated. Recently, however, the use of dialogue and negotiation in tackling women’s predicament and peace building seems to gain acceptance. As the need for women liberation surges, literary arbitration has become vital when they arise. Some Nigerian female fictional writers appear to embrace negotiation as a tool to arbitrate and to advance the feminist struggle. Thus, this paper examines the issues faced by women and resolved through negotiation in Lola Shoneyin’s novel “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” (2010). Using Nego-Feminism – a variant of African feminism theory – it advocates peace, harmony, cooperation and negotiation between the sexes. While it is true that women are oppressed and dehumanized in the hands of men and in society, Nego-Feminism postulates the idea that both female and male sexes are partners in progress and that their differences can amicably be resolved. The paper concludes that with dialogue, negotiation and collaboration, peaceful co-existence, social harmony and national development are achievable. Thus, the use of Nego-Feminism which advocates partnership, complementarity of roles between men and women for a happy family and national life is hereby encouraged.