Reality TV star Mercy Eke says the stigma associated with single motherhood in Nigeria largely affects only women who are not financially or socially empowered, insisting that successful women do not face such judgement.
In a recent podcast interview, the Big Brother Naija season four winner said she would have no reservations about raising a child out of wedlock if she became pregnant, although it is not something she is actively pursuing.
“I won’t go the extra mile to get pregnant out of wedlock. But if it happens, I would leave him and have my baby. I want three kids; two girls and a boy or three girls. I love girls,” she said.
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Eke emphasized that her decision would not hinder her prospects of getting married, arguing that society treats single mothers differently depending on their economic or social position.
“Even if I don’t get married, I would still have children. What most people don’t know is that the stigma of being a single mother only applies to women who are not doing well,” she said.
“The women [single mothers] that they are breaking windows, the men beg them for marriage. I can get married tomorrow if I want. But what I want in a man, I haven’t seen. It’s not that there is no suitor. There are many… So even if I had a baby, I would still see a man.”
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE