GENDER IDEOLOGY AND SOCIAL CRISES A STUDY OF: IFEOMA OKOYE BEHIND THE CLOUDS AND LOLA SHONYIEN THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES

This research work explores the interplay between gender ideology and social crises as depicted in Ifeoma Okoye’s Behind the Clouds and Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. Both novels offer profound critiques of patriarchal norms and the socio-cultural expectations placed on women within Nigerian society. Through the lens of female experiences, the texts expose how rigid gender roles contribute to personal suffering, marital conflict, and broader societal instability. In Behind the Clouds, Okoye highlights the emotional and psychological toll of infertility on women, emphasizing how cultural perceptions of womanhood are narrowly defined by motherhood. The protagonist’s struggle reflects the societal pressure that leads to silence, shame, and the marginalization of women. Similarly, Shoneyin’s novel interrogates polygamy, secrecy, and power dynamics in the domestic sphere, revealing how deeply rooted patriarchal ideologies perpetuate oppression and manipulate familial relationships. By examining these narratives, the research underscores how gender ideology fuels social crises such as broken homes, emotional trauma, and gender-based violence. The research argues that both authors use their works not only to reflect societal realities but also to challenge traditional norms and advocate for gender equity and individual empowerment. By comparing these two works, this study highlights how gender ideology is a powerful force that shapes individual destinies and societal outcomes. It argues that both authors use their narratives to challenge oppressive cultural norms and advocate for the liberation and empowerment of women within contemporary African society. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, Shoneyin critiques the institution of polygamy and the toxic dynamics it fosters within the family unit. The novel unveils the hidden tensions, manipulation, and competition among women, all of which stem from a patriarchal system that values women primarily for their ability to bear children.