Nollywood actress and media mogul Mary Njoku has vented on society’s poor treatment of women’s efforts.
On her Instagram page, she shared a conversation She had with a male colleague, who lamented to her over the burdens and pressure on him. He said he had the pressure of having to provide, make money, build a business, and carry the burden of people depending on him.
Mary said she told him she understands, but he didn’t believe her, saying she can’t understand because she is a woman and doesn’t face such pressure.
The wife of Iroko TV boss noted how society has long celebrated men as providers, while treating many women’s contributions as expected, invisible or secondary. She noted how women’s sacrifices are overlooked, their achievements are credited to the nearest man in the room, and they’re expected to carry the load so quietly.
Giving women their flowers, she noted how they have carried more than most people will ever acknowledge.
“A few years ago, I was talking to a colleague I’d hired for a project.
He was telling me about the pressure of having to provide, make money, build a business, and carry the burden of people depending on him.
I told him, “I understand “,
He said, “No, you don’t. You can’t possibly understand. You are a woman. Women don’t understand that kind of pressure.
I smiled and said, “Of course, how can I?
I signed his cheque, handed it to him, and wished him well.
Didn’t argue.
Reality doesn’t need defending. Sometimes, your life speaks louder than your words.
For generations, countless African women have carried the weight of entire families long before they ever had husbands or children.
They helped raise siblings, paid school fees, supported parents, cared for relatives, and carried responsibilities that were never meant for one person alone. Some are still doing it today, even after getting married and starting families of their own.
Yet, they rarely get credit for it.
Sometimes, their sacrifices are overlooked. Sometimes, their achievements are credited to the nearest man in the room. Sometimes, they’re expected to carry the load so quietly that people forget they were carrying it at all.
Society has long celebrated men as providers, while treating many women’s contributions as expected, invisible, or secondary.
To every woman out there who is providing, building, leading, nurturing, sacrificing, succeeding at work, and still holding her home together…
Take your flowers. 🌸
You’ve been carrying far more than most people will ever acknowledge. Your work matters. Your sacrifices count. Your success is yours. And you don’t need anyone’s permission to own it”.
