Veteran Nollywood actress Lola Idije has urged society to stop putting pressure on women to marry early, saying some may not get married until they are 40 or 50.
She made this known during an interview on the African A-List podcast, where she also spoke in defence of women raising children without husbands.
According to the actress, some women who become single mothers do not necessarily make that choice willingly, as circumstances beyond their control, including family-related challenges, may leave them in such situations.
“Not everybody will have a husband to help them raise their children. So women have to carry their burden alone. Not all of them choose that life,” she said.
The actress argued that a woman without a husband should not be seen as irresponsible, stressing that such women deserve praise for shouldering the burden alone.
“Some situations are caused by enemies and others by family circumstances. So, the fact that a woman doesn’t have a husband doesn’t mean she is a fool or does not know what she’s doing. Such a woman should be praised. If some women are not up to 40 or 50, they wouldn’t find a husband,” she stated.
She questioned why society pressures women at 20 to marry, warning that rushing could lead to marrying the wrong partner.
“But if you start pressuring them at 20, how can you be sure that they won’t marry the wrong person?” she asked.
Speaking on motherhood, she added, “When women start giving birth, they become softer.”
