Counsellor Appeals To Public To Destigmatise Single Motherhood

Olawunmi Ashafa
Dec, Sat, 2023

Gender , General News

Counsellor appeals to public to destigmatise single motherhood

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By Oluwafunke Ishola

(NAN) A Counsellor, Dr Ebunlomo Fawole, has appealed to the public to actively engage in destigmatising single motherhood by fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding.

Fawole made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

According to her, single mothers play an integral role in shaping the future, noting that understanding and supporting them is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for building stronger communities.

“Create safe spaces where they are free to share their journey without the fear of being judged, a society where they seek guidance, and receive emotional support.

“It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a compassionate community to uplift a single mother,” she said.

Fawole noted that single mothers weave a narrative of resilience, strength, and determination.

“A category of women who instead of getting the attention needed, get prosecuted by the people who ought to show them love,” she told NAN.

Highlighting challenges faced by single mothers, Fawole said many face economic struggles, silent battles against mental health issues such as suicidal ideation, depressive states, and profound loneliness that accompany their journey.

“For single mothers, economic challenges is a major issue, casting a shadow over their daily lives.

“She tries to juggle and balance the demands of parenthood, work, and maintaining a stable home on a single income – a situation she created with somebody.

“She suffers sleepless nights and constantly struggles to make ends meet, a financial strain that often leads to pushing a lot of them into the brink of despair.

“The emotional toll of single parenthood manifests in different ways, ranging from the weight of responsibility, coupled with societal expectations and stigmas.

“All resulting in a heightened risk of mental health issues. Loneliness is a silent struggle faced by many single mothers.

“The absence of a partner to share the emotional and physical burdens of parenting leads to feelings of isolation, rejection, neglect, despair, and even contemplating the unthinkable; a grim reality that we, as a society, cannot afford to ignore,” she said.

On solutions, Fawole advised that employers play a major role by offering flexible work arrangements, affordable childcare options, and promoting a workplace culture that values and accommodates the unique challenges faced by single mothers.

“This will create a work environment that fosters peace and calmness required to strategise and handle issues of life without pain,” she said.

Fawole also appealed to the government on initiatives, such as accessible mental health services and financial assistance programmes, noting that it could provide a much-needed safety net for those on the verge of despair. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

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