Chimamanda Adichie Reveals She Never Wanted To Emerge A ‘Feminist’ Icon

Chimamanda Adichie has been credited as the one of the most influential advocate for gender equality and female empowerment in Nigeria and across the world.

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.

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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.”

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Adichie added;

“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 added that the judgement from society chokes the greatness that women carry. She also urged women to support each other genuinely.

“If you’re so judged and oppressed as a woman, you can’t conquer the world and be the best you can be,” she added.