"Gender-Based Violence and Trauma Recovery in Tosin Jobi Tume's Not That Woman"

Abstract

Abstract: Male-perpetrated violence against women remains a pervasive crisis, particularly in Africa, where women are subjected to various forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. This paper examines the representation of gender-based violence in Not That Woman (2019) by the Nigerian playwright Tosin Jobi Tume (1980-), highlighting the traumatic experiences of Nigerian women and their struggle for healing and autonomy. The play exposes multiple forms of victimization, including incest, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence, offering a critique of societal complicity in sustaining these oppressive structures. The study explores how the play portrays the journey of female survivors as they navigate their pain and reclaim their agency. This journey is analyzed through Judith Herman’s three stages of trauma recovery: the establishment of safety, remembrance and mourning, and reconnection. By tracing the psychological and emotional progression of the female characters, the research underscores how storytelling and the act of retelling trauma serve as essential mechanisms for healing. By centering the voices of female survivors, Not That Woman challenges patriarchal norms and affirms the transformative power of narrative in overcoming trauma and restoring selfhood.