Marrriage is overrated; it is not an achievement – Actress Mercy Aigbe tells women
Mercy Aigbe, who is a Nollywood actress has said that marriage has been given a false hype thus it is never an achievement to marry. The actress who had had two failed marriages in 2018 on speculations of domestic abuse challenged the status quo that says that every woman must marry and go settle with…
Mercy Aigbe, who is a Nollywood actress has said that marriage has been given a false hype thus it is never an achievement to marry.
The actress who had had two failed marriages in 2018 on speculations of domestic abuse challenged the status quo that says that every woman must marry and go settle with her husband.
Mercy added that women have been wired to accept any harsh ordeal in marriages with the notion that they need to protect their homes regardless of the situation.
She said this through a YouTube channel:
“Our mothers brought us up, as women, to take whatever our partners do to us. They tell us to take it because we want to remain in a man’s house. To me, it is not an achievement. Let’s just say as it is– marriage is overrated. It takes two people to make it work; it’s not just about the women. But, everybody keeps heaping all the responsibilities of the woman. That shouldn’t be.”
Mercy narrated how she was abused in her previous marriage by saying:
“The first time the slap came, it felt like I was dreaming. I wasn’t expecting it and I was shocked beyond words. I didn’t know it was going to happen but it happened. The begging would then come after that. Once a man raises his hand to hit you, he is going to do it over and again. However, because it was my second attempt (at marriage), I was ready to make it work, even with all the violence. I was there hoping and praying. I just wanted a happy home.
“The incident that broke the camel’s back was the one where I almost died. The beating was horrible. People often say actresses don’t want to remain married. Who told them that? (You think) being a celebrity doesn’t make me human? Does (being a celebrity) mean I don’t want to have a happy home? They say actresses are promiscuous but promiscuity is not (the exclusive preserve of) any profession. When mine (break-up) happened, it wasn’t easy because I am a celebrity. I read a lot of things online. Some people even said I made it up. But, nobody can dictate to me how to live my life.”
The actress also noted that religion doesn’t encourage women to speak up when they are assaulted by their husbands. She added, “I have been through domestic violence and I came out strong. I would love to see the end of domestic violence in society. It wasn’t easy for me because society always shames one. Everybody believes if one is experiencing domestic violence, one has to be patient as a woman and take it all to remain in one’s husband’s house. A lot of people have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence. And religion is not helping. An assaulted woman could go to her pastor and the cleric would say, ‘Oh madam, you need to keep praying’. Is it until she loses her life?”