Veteran Nollywood actress Lola Idije has advised people not to pressure women to get married at an early age, as some women are meant to marry at 40 or 50.
This was revealed by the actress during an appearance on the Africanlist Podcast, where she discussed single motherhood, marriage and the societal pressure on women.
Lola Idije (Toyin Afolayan) spoke up for women who do not have husbands, emphasizing that not all women want to be single mothers.
She says that in certain cases, some women get themselves into the situation of raising children alone due to the situation they’re in. She said that she didn’t like the idea of judging a woman based on her marital status or what she decides to do.
There are people who don’t have a husband to support them in raising their children, so women have to bear their responsibilities themselves, and not all of them will opt for that lifestyle.
The actress also asked about the pressure being put on young women to get married, particularly those who haven’t been able to find the right person.
She said that it was not certain that a woman marrying at 20 would make the correct decision, adding that a haste to marriage might result in marrying the wrong person.
“Some people are destined to marry at the age of 40 or 50. But if you start pressuring them at 20, how can you be sure that they won’t marry the wrong person?” she added.
Lola Idije also talked about motherhood, noting that children can mold a woman’s personality and turn her into a “softer” woman.
As women begin to give birth, they become softer, she said.
The actress’s remarks have caused a stir over the age at which women are expected to get married and the problems associated with single moms.
Her comments also underscore the need to give individuals the freedom to choose marriage while not being condemned or coerced by society.
