Nollywood actress Chizzy Alichi has publicly spoken out in support of single mothers, urging people to show more empathy instead of judgment.
Taking to her Instagram page on Friday, the actress addressed the stigma often attached to women raising children alone, stressing that many single mothers did not choose that path.
According to Alichi, no woman grows up dreaming of struggling alone or raising children without a partner, noting that life circumstances sometimes force such realities.
The actress explained that while some women became single mothers after losing their husbands, others had to leave toxic marriages to protect themselves and their children.
She also pointed out that some were abandoned by irresponsible partners, while others became mothers through traumatic experiences such as sexual assault.
Alichi stressed that rather than criticise or shame single mothers, society should offer understanding and support, as many are doing their best under difficult circumstances.
In her words: “She didn’t choose to be a single mother. No one wakes up to say, ‘My dream in life is to struggle alone’, life happens.
“Some became single mothers because their home became too toxic, and staying would have destroyed them and their children. Some lost their husband to death, some were raped.
“Some were abandoned by men who ran away from their responsibilities.”