LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Veteran Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has taken a bold stand against the entrenched patriarchy in Nigerian society, calling out what she describes as a widespread mindset among men that devalues women.
Speaking during a recent interview on Arise TV, Henshaw didn’t hold back in her critique of systemic gender inequality, pointing to both cultural and legal structures that, in her view, reinforce the subjugation of women.
“The mindset of many Nigerian men is deeply patriarchal. They see women as less than human,” she said.
Henshaw highlighted the role of distorted religious teachings and cultural norms in perpetuating inequality. She emphasized that the original divine intention for gender partnership has been twisted to justify male dominance.
“God created man and woman — yes, man came first, but the woman was brought from his side, not from his head to dominate or his feet to be trampled on, but from his side to stand as an equal,” she explained. “To be fruitful, to multiply, to raise children, and to grow together.”
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The actress also called out specific legal disparities that she believes institutionalize discrimination.
“Even our laws favor men. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act allows a man to ‘reasonably chastise’ his wife. Why is that still acceptable?” she asked.
Henshaw further criticized nationality laws that disadvantage Nigerian women, saying, “A Nigerian man who marries a foreigner can easily secure a passport for his wife. But a Nigerian woman marrying a foreigner? She has to jump through hoops to do the same for her husband. So what are we really talking about?”
Her remarks have sparked debate online, while some called her bias and bitter, others praised Henshaw for her courage in voicing hard truths about the lived realities of Nigerian women in a male-dominated society.
