Two years ago I had this idea to create a WhatsApp group for young mothers who live mostly in Lagos. I figured we would have fun talking about life living in Lagos, raising young children and working or even staying at home. A collaborative community. I wrote a list of the people I wanted to invite but I was shocked when a few of them declined with comments like “I really dont like associating with other women, my husband wouldn’t approve of it, women are bitter I dont want to be influenced by bitterness.” I had expected objections to come in form of ‘ I am too busy and may not have time to participate' but not the boldly ‘anti-women’ and ‘it’s best to stay away from other women’ comments.

Most people, especially in Nigeria with so many marginalised and oppressed women,feel its weak to associate with other women.