Stop Pressuring Women To Marry Early — Lola Idije

Veteran actress Lola Idije has spoken out against the intense societal pressure placed on young women to get married early, warning that rushing them into marriage could lead to lifelong mistakes.

She shared her thoughts during a recent appearance on the African A-List podcast.

Idije emphasized that not every woman will have a husband to help her raise children, meaning many have to carry the burden alone. She explained that this is not always a choice, as some women face these situations due to enemies or family circumstances.

The Yoruba actress argued that a woman without a husband should not be viewed as foolish or incapable, but rather praised for her strength.

Questioning the logic of early pressure, she noted that if some women haven't found a husband by the time they are 40 or 50, rushing them at 20 increases the risk of them marrying the wrong person.

She also reflected on motherhood, noting that women naturally become softer when they start giving birth.

She said:
"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."

"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."

"But if you start pressuring them at 20, how can you be sure that they won’t marry the wrong person?"

"When women start giving birth, they become softer."