Shut Up During Argument With Your Husbands, Minister Warns Women

• Minister for Women Affairs advises women to avoid arguments with husbands at home to prevent escalating conflicts and potential harm
• Kennedy-Ohaneye stresses the significant role of women in fostering peaceful home environments and urges restraint during verbal altercations

Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, the Minister for Women Affairs, delivered a poignant message to women nationwide, urging them to refrain from arguing or confronting their husbands at home.

Speaking at a Conference of Commissioners of State Ministries of Women Affairs in Nigeria in Abuja, the minister emphasized the importance of maintaining peace within the household to prevent escalating conflicts that could result in physical harm or even fatalities.

Addressing the audience gathered at the conference organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Phase II Programme, funded by the European Union through the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Kennedy-Ohaneye stressed the significant role women play in fostering a peaceful home environment.

She advised women to exercise restraint during verbal altercations, emphasizing the potential dangers of retaliatory actions. “Keep your mouth shut,” she urged, highlighting that responding to verbal provocations often leads to negative outcomes, including violence and the upbringing of troubled children.

The minister encouraged women to adopt a patient approach during conflicts, suggesting that silence and composure can often defuse tense situations. She emphasized the importance of assessing the character of one’s spouse, noting that a good man would eventually apologize for his behaviour.

Highlighting the need for legislative measures to address gender-based violence, Kennedy-Ohaneye called for the establishment of mobile courts to expedite the trial of such offences. She expressed her commitment, along with the commissioners, to advocate for enacting laws to protect women’s rights and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.

Additionally, the minister announced plans to launch an integrity group tasked with overseeing the proper utilization of funds allocated for women’s empowerment initiatives. She emphasized the necessity of accountability in managing donor funds, expressing concern that current practices may not align with the intended objectives of uplifting women in the country.