Chimamanda Adichie said that she did not set out to become a feminist advocate.
Adichie, while speaking at the WIMBIZ Conference, on Friday, November 4, said that feminism was never in her plans.
She explained that seeing how women were oppressed in the society influenced her advocacy.
Adichie decried the pressure society imposes on women who marry late, don’t have children, or leave an abusive marriage.
She said, “I did not set out to be a feminist icon, but I cannot stand the way women are being 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.”
She said, “I did not set out to be a feminist icon, but I cannot stand the way women are being 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.”
