Gender and Topicality in Onwueme’s Plays

Gender discourse as an offshoot of feminism has become an important factorin the global discourse on development. As a feminist, Tess Onwueme hasoften high-lighted her discussion of topical, national and global issuesagainst the metaphorical backdrop of women exploited and disfranchised butidentifiable with the nation/state. This paper seeks to illustrate thediscussions of gender and topical/national issues through a focusedexamination of one or two of Onwueme’s plays, namely: What Mama Saidand No Vacancy. This will by no means limit our referencing to any other ofher works. By this examination we also seek to present the playwright as acommitted sensitive and creative artist who speaks for and seeks to lendvoice to the voiceless