Sharon Gwada (left), Munira Hussein and Eunniah Mbabazi, when they attended the National Reading Day event, at KNLS [Courtesy]
Last week, the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi hosted a landmark gathering, a women in literature event themed ‘Celebrating Her Story, Her Power, and Her Voice.’ This first-of-its-kind forum brought together writers and literary enthusiasts to explore the evolving landscape of women’s representation in literature and the transformative power of storytelling.
The event featured a distinguished panel of celebrated female authors: Vera Omwocha, Hussein Munira and Scholar V. Akinyi, with the conversation steered by the dynamic moderator Eunniah Mbabazi.
The event opened on a poignant note. Moderator Euniah Mbabazi invited attendees to observe a moment of silence for the women who were raped during the July 25 protests. “They may not be dead,” she said, “but something inside them was broken. And it is that something we pay respect to.” The statement set the tone for an afternoon filled with honesty, reflection, and unapologetic truth-telling.
The ensuing conversation was a powerful reminder of how far women have come in reclaiming space and voice in African literary circles.
A key question was on the evolution of women’s representation in literature, both as characters and authors. Drawing from examples such as The Middle Daughter, a novel by Nigerian Chika Unigwe, the moderator reflected on how earlier portrayals often cast women as passive figures. Akin
“Women characters are no longer seen through the lens of male perception. They now speak from within, from their own realities, and not just as observed beings,” said Akinyi.
She criticized the portrayal of women based only on outward appearance, missing the internal complexities that female writers now bring to life with nuance and truth.
For author Hussein Munira, her writing is deeply influenced by her upbringing in Marsabit, a region often overlooked and marginalised. She and the other panelists emphasized that the rise of confessional storytelling among women is not just empowering, it’s revolutionary.
These narratives, often born from silence, are now finding safe spaces for expression. “It’s not just about women,” Akinyi added, “it’s about humanity.”
The panel explored how identities: class, sexuality, and background intersect to shape the stories women tell. By embracing these complexities, literature becomes a mirror reflecting the full spectrum of human experience.
The conversation turned to literature’s role in activism and feminism.
Scholar Akinyi said it was crucial to include children in conversations about literature, drawing directly from her own experience with Hop Skip and Jump which portrays how children interpret and engage with history.