‘Not every woman chooses to be a single mother’ — Lola Idije defends women raising children alone

Nollywood actress Lola Idije has spoken in support of women raising children without husbands, saying not every woman deliberately chooses to become a single mother, as some find themselves in such situations due to circumstances beyond their control.

Speaking during an appearance on the Africanlist Podcast, the actress said women who shoulder the responsibility of raising their children alone should not be judged or looked down upon because they are unmarried.

“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 because 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 said.

Lola also cautioned against judging women based on their marital status, noting that some people find love and get married later in life. She questioned the pressure often placed on young women to settle down early, warning that rushing into marriage could lead to choosing the wrong partner.

The actress further spoke about the changes that come with motherhood, saying, “When women start giving birth, they become softer.”