I asked 10 Nigerian women what it’s like being a woman for International Women’s Day 2024 – Challenges & Joys of Womanhood

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #InspireInclusion. This year theme is fitting as on March 8, 2024, the world celebrates the diversity of women and creates an opportunity to push conversations that promote women’s equality, challenging stereotypes, discrimination, and bias against women, a worthy cause if you ask me.

As a woman myself, I often find myself surrounded by diverse women (none of my friends are alike in looks or temperament; my sister is a direct opposite of me; my mother had her peculiar differences from me even with striking similarities between us) who seem quite different from each other. I thought that it would be inspiring this year to spotlight 10 different women from mothers to single women, writers to chefs who seemingly have nothing in common apart from a unique form, the curves in our hips & feminine beauty to show how much we can learn from each other by leaning into our shared experiences, constant struggles, and resilience in the face of life’s difficulties. 

Chidinma Nnalue

What does being a woman mean to you?

To me, being a woman means nurturing life itself; nurturing oneself and others. It means standing on the shoulders of women from the past who have achieved great things and believing that I too can lead a meaningful life. It’s about recognising the potential within me and acting based on my beliefs.

What do you love most about being a woman?

I love the delicate fierceness that womanhood embodies; how my looks does not define the full essence of who I am. I appreciate that I am more complex than meets the eye. I love the sisterhood and support that womanhood offers, the ability to admire and love other women, aspire to grow, while also deeply loving and appreciating my own uniqueness.

What do you find most challenging about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

The most challenging aspect of being a woman is the weight of responsibility, particularly in certain phases of life. I often wonder if being a woman entails a recycled struggle, sacrificing personal happiness to nurture others, especially children. However, I address these questions and concerns by taking each day as it comes, expressing gratitude for the influence of mothers who have made life better for us. I hope to do the same for others while nurturing my own dreams

Barbara Nwabueze

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman to me means being confident and self-aware. It’s an opportunity to be a support system for others.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

It can be challenging dealing with stereotypes and societal expectations. I’ve realised that I’m not a man, I can never be a man, neither do I have a desire to be. I have learned to be content in my identity as a woman knowing that I can be successful in my own path and can achieve what I want because success is not gender-specific. I can be feminine and successful; there are no limits for me.

What do you love the most about being a woman?

A woman is a goal-getter; It’s a beautiful thing to be a woman

Praise Ukor Jallo

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman means exactly what the Lord had in mind while creating her, as He revealed in Genesis 2:18-23. Women are creatures double refined, further taken away from the Earth, closest to the heart of the Holy Spirit. We are forces of influence, gentle yet commanding nations and territories. We are soft-spoken and full of grace, yet we set everything ablaze to perfection with our uncommon wisdom and creativity

What’s the most difficult thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

The most challenging thing for me would be the ability to balance all I have to do: my marriage, my kids, my career, ministry, and still prioritise my personal growth and development without any of these areas suffering. In my journey, God has really helped me create a balance because I focus on what needs to be focused on at that time. I understand now that I can’t do everything, so I delegate when I have to.

What do you love the most about being a woman?

What I love most about being a woman is the deep-rooted strength and resilience I possess. As women, we may look fragile, soft, and most times weak, but behind that is an unfathomable strength to overcome any challenge and, more importantly, to carry and nurture another life within us.

Chinenye Amadife

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman is being nurturing, committed, strong, brave, smart, and so much more.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

It’s having a lot to do at once. I have learned to manage it all by prioritising what’s important to me

What do you love the most about being a woman?

I love being a woman because no matter what we go through or encounter in life, we always come out stronger. Our resilience is admirable 

Gift Ebeh

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman means accepting my identity inspite of seeming contradictions; I need to see myself as one that is nurturing and not weak. I have to be strong but not mean, motherly but not overbearing, smart but not timid. I have to  accept my body as it adapts and changes overtime without losing my confidence

What’s the most challenging thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

I don’t think I have ever been challenged by anything as a female until this thing called adulthood came knocking. A woman’s body undergoes different changes at different times in her life, and sometimes others aren’t always kind to her as she experiences these changes. People tend to body-shame you when you gain or lose weight. You get comments like, “you are getting fat, you haven’t started having kids yet, better watch your weight” or “you are losing too much weight, are you sick or something?” It’s a constant thing we have to deal with.

Then there’s the issue of biological clocks and being married. Knowing for a fact that society, including family members, expect you to have a partner by age 30; if you haven’t brought a man home to be introduced, you get bombarded with questions like, “when will you marry? Who is the man in your life? Is there any man showing interest?” It can be frustrating and tiring.

One thing that helps is God’s Word; it puts me in check every time. His timing is always the best, and I remind myself all the time that you can never please everybody. Be you, be a woman boldly, unashamedly, and be happy.

What I love the most about being a woman?

Women are special beings. There are many things I love about being a woman. I love the fact that I can dress up, look pretty, and command attention in any room I walk into. As a woman, I don’t have to bottle up my emotions; women are expressive in nature, and I love the freedom of being vulnerable with my feelings. I love the fact that women are caregivers; we have enough love to give to as many people as possible. Women are nurturers and multipliers; give us flour, we make a cake.

Raisa Senibo

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman means being compassionate, a caregiver, and a community builder. As a woman, I can be soft yet strong (compassionate), possess nurturing qualities, provide emotional support, offer guidance (caregiver), and contribute positively to my family and society (community builder).

What do you love the most about being a woman?

What I love most about being a woman is the unique opportunity I have to bring a new life into the world through childbirth. I love the sweet experience of creating and nurturing a new life, it’s extraordinary.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

The most challenging aspect of being a woman is often being neglected during decision-making processes solely because of one’s gender. Our society erects gender barriers for women in leadership and governance, requiring women to seek approval or permission from men even when making decisions. These gender stereotypes and cultural norms promote the idea of male superiority over women. I address this challenge by initiating discussions about gender equality and emphasising the importance of including women in decision-making processes.

Gospel Chinwendu Okoh

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman means experiencing a loving God, understanding His plans for my life, and having the rare privilege of participating in it despite my flaws, inadequacies, and complexities. A woman embodies multiple roles at the same time – a daughter, a sister, a sister-in-law, a friend, a teacher, a counselor, a prayer partner, a confidante, and a nurse. On some days, it’s hiding your tears and fears so that others can cry on your shoulder and find comfort from you. On some other days, it’s taking on the role of a cheerleader, believing in the people connected to you and rooting for them. Being a woman means being sacrificial in everything and using your knowledge to serve the need of others

What’s the most challenging thing about being a woman?

Juggling the various dimensions of womanhood can be overwhelming. Many people and activities tugging at you, needing your attention and input. I think knowing what’s priority has helped me a lot in handling this challenge. Leading a balanced life too is a plus.

What do you love most about being a woman?

I love that women have the ability to appear weak yet be strong. I like that I can still inspire, influence and impact others,  showing up by recognising the power I posses and functioning with that awareness, I love it!

Saturday Silverlin Omoh

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman for me is being supportive, strong, resilient, and unapologetic.

What  do you love the most about being a woman?

I love that a woman can be expressive and vulnerable, without it interfering with my ability to be kind and fearless.

What is the most difficult thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

The most challenging aspect of being a woman is the constant pressure to conform to societal expectations regarding what a woman should look like, act like, and achieve in life. I acknowledge these challenges as part of my journey as a woman and view these setbacks as opportunities for  growth as a woman.

Helen Leonard 

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman to me means being a gift to others, a protector of my sisters and an unwavering support system for my friends. A woman has the ability not just to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders but to do it with a smile; a woman will often put the others’ needs before hers.  

What do you love the most about being a woman?

I love my empathetic nature;  being sensitive and intuitive are two of my greatest assets in life. I love my ability to adapt to different situations; I can be calm and collected; and also extroverted when it’s needed.

What’s the most challenging thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

One of the most challenging thing we deal with as women is the constant pressure and high expectations placed on you, people often forget that you can’t give from an empty vessel. Dealing withn unsolicited advice about your weight is also tiring. I am often cautioned not to dream too big because the world often judges my every move, has an opinion about my choices. A woman is burdened with the expectations of others, sexualised by default and accomplishments diminished if she does not have a man by her side. Although it’s tough being a woman; I think that’s what makes the sky the starting point for any woman; our ability to thrive in spite of expectations and opinions.

Nkechi Edith Ekenwe

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman means being resilient, selfless, and competent at all times.

What do you love the most about being a woman?

I love the fact that I am resilient as a woman. Despite facing challenges, I always find a way out of any situation life presents.

What’s the most challenging thing about being a woman, and how do you handle it?

The most challenging aspect of being a woman is multitasking (doing so many things at same time), it can be actually draining. I handle this by focusing on what I can control,  and work towards achieving excellence instead of perfection.

I love that every woman I asked the same question for this particular blog post brought a unique perspective with her even if their answers were similar. Curating their responses was a labour of love for me; that’s how I’m investing in women this year by amplifying stories of the modern woman, having conversations with the girl next door, and creating a community of sisters to forge meaningful connections across the world at Her Green Room.

Let me know which woman’s response resonated with you the most in the comments.