Many traditions are rooted in patriarchy and misogyny - Nigerian man says after a widower was sidelined during her daughter's marriage negotiation

A Nigerian man, Phill Badung has said that many African traditions are rooted in patriarchy, misogyny and sideline women. He stated in a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 4, after he accompanied a friend to visit the family of the woman he wants to marry. According to him, the woman's father is late so they were told to wait for her 21-year-old brother even though her mother was in the room. Badung said it makes no sense that a widow can raise and provide for her children but she can't handle marriage negotiation of her daughter.

"I followed my friend to visit the lady he wanted to marry. Her dad is late so they asked us to wait for her younger brother. I don't understand, her mother is right there and we have to wait for a 21 year old boy?," he wrote. "Many traditions are rooted in patriarchy and misogyny. So a widow can pay school fees, feed and cloth but she can't talk to the people that want to marry her daughter? Can you see how stupid that sounds?"

by Linda Ikeji at 05/08/2026 1:47 PM | Share this Story