Author and strategic communicator Nono Ogochukwu Eloike has critically examined the detrimental effects of the silence culture on women in her new self-help book, Ichabod: Daughters Who Did Not Inherit Their Mothers’ Silence.
The discussion took place at her inaugural book reading event held over the weekend at Ouida Lagos. The event attracted an audience of prominent journalists, authors, feminists, activists, and book enthusiasts who collectively condemned the culture of silence and advocated for a progressive future for women.
In Ichabod, Eloike explores how, for centuries, women have often sacrificed their purpose and aspirations for societal approval, particularly through marriage. She argues that this silence culture undermines women’s autonomy and limits their potential.
Eloike emphasized that feminism benefits society as a whole by promoting the right to choice and self-determination, enabling individuals to live authentically and honestly. She highlighted that women, as custodians of human continuity, experience ongoing mental, physical, and spiritual evolution, necessitating personal growth and change.
“It is unnatural and unhealthy for a man to expect a woman to remain unchanged simply because of his insecurities about her growth,” Eloike stated.
Contrastingly, she noted that men often discover their purpose earlier in life, as societal norms encourage independence and self-expression in males, treating these traits as masculine rather than feminine. This disparity, she said, pressures women into making choices that do not reflect their true desires due to lack of autonomy.
Eloike further asserted that supporting women in being authentic and making informed life choices prior to marriage could significantly reduce divorce rates, as couples would enter matrimony with a clearer understanding of themselves and each other.
“The institutionalization of silence fosters impunity, femicide, and the suppression of women,” she said. “Women who assert themselves and take control of their lives are often labeled stubborn, loud, or unsubmissive in patriarchal societies. What is termed ‘submission’ in these contexts is often forced subjugation, stripping women of their willpower and agency to perpetuate patriarchal structures.”
The event was hailed as a powerful gathering of like-minded individuals committed to rejecting silence in the face of injustice. Attendees were encouraged to embrace their successes, assert their presence, and refuse to live on the sidelines.
The program concluded with a book signing, meet-and-greet session with Eloike, and a group photo with participants.
