Award-winning Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie, said on Friday that she never expected she would become a feminist advocate.
Adichie, the keynote speaker at the 21st WIMBIZ Annual Conference, said feminism was never in her plans, adding that her motivation purely emanated from how women were oppressed in the society.
Adichie further decried the pressure society imposes on women who marry late, don’t have children, or leave an abusive marriage.
She said such women are supposed to be applauded and comforted after surviving years of pain and enduring suffering.
She said, “I did not set out to be a feminist icon, but I cannot stand the way women a been abused in the society and I feel like I have a platform that can make a difference, no matter how little.
“A woman gathers the courage to leave an abusive marriage, and instead of being comforted and cared for, she’s being oppressed and insulted, even by fellow women. We need to change the narrative.
“People don’t need to like you for the stand you take, all that matters is that you can sleep well at night, knowing that you have done and have said the right thing.”
The Purple Hibiscus writer said the judgement from society only choked the greatness that women carry. She also urged women to support each other genuinely.
“If you’re so judged and oppressed as a woman, you can’t conquer the world and be the best you can be,” she added.
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