Book review: Adichie,C.N.,Dear Ijeawele,or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

In Dear Ijeawele, the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi is back with a powerful articulation advocating equality for women. This slim book is another insightful piece from the bestselling author of the essay We Should All Be Feminists (2014) and earlier novels such as Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) and Americanah (2013).

In the form of a letter addressed to her childhood friend who has delivered a baby girl only a week ago, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions has a strong message for parents the world over. Adichie’s style is simple yet not simplistic. She advises readers to make a conscious attempt to raise their children differently, with a view to the ultimate goal of making the world a just place for both women and men. Adiche then begins with her 15 suggestions for raising a feminist daughter in the 21st century. Her initial piece of advice is linked to identity and celebrating one’s individuality. She takes the readers through the popular notions and myths around motherhood and parenting. Her thrust has been on repudiating gender roles. ‘Because you are a girl’ must never be a reason for anything, contends Adichie. Having spent time in both the USA and Nigeria, she recounts her everyday experiences of gendered marketing in a children’s store, or friends and acquaintances who tend to be sexist, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Being a black woman herself, Adichie brings the subaltern perspective to the fore. Despite sexism being rampant, those around her do not condemn it vehemently as in the case of racism. She challenges the concept of what she calls Feminism Lite or conditional female equality. The author is also strongly opposed to the deification of women because what is revered is also controlled. Hence, it is essential to teach our daughters to read, think and question critically. Labelling something as misogynistic, patriarchal or sexist is not enough; she needs to be explained why it is so and what would not make it so. She further elaborates on the clichéd ideas around marriage as an achievement and the practice of adopting the husband’s surname that is also prevalent among the Igbos. Against the stereotypical ideas of feminism being antithetical to femininity, Adichie posits that both of them are not mutually exclusive. Right from letting her choose her appearance to encouraging her to actively participate in sports, Adichie asks Ijeawele to surround her daughter with men and women who not only preach but also practise feminism in thought, word and deed.

Moreover, Adichie believes that mothers ought to freely talk to their daughters about menstruation and sex, breaking the taboos surrounding them. From lighter themes like appearance and romance to the serious ones like misogyny, marriage and female sexuality, Adichie’s guide to raising a feminist daughter is aimed at helping her evolve into a sensitive, informed, practical, vocal and progressive individual.

In conclusion, Adichie’s suggestions are quite relevant in contemporary times. For women to wage for equality, they must be completely aware of the unequal power relationships that exist among them and men, and act accordingly to assert and exercise agency over their own lives, first of all. A must read from the author who urges us all to be feminists, Dear Ijeawele reinforces the need for gender socialisation that helps one internalise feminism as a way of life right from childhood.