LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — A viral video showing women kneeling before their seated husbands during a church celebration has ignited a nationwide debate over gender roles, religious customs, and the dignity of women in marriage.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media, depicts wives kneeling in front of their husbands during a church program meant to “celebrate” them. The husbands remained seated throughout, prompting one user to post, “Marriage is a humiliation ritual for women,” sparking outrage and thousands of reactions.
Critics say the act reflects entrenched patriarchal norms that reduce women to subservient roles, even in moments meant to honor them. “This is not celebration — it’s submission disguised as ceremony,” said Amaka Nwosu, a gender rights activist based in Lagos. “We must challenge rituals that reinforce inequality.”
Other Nigerians expressed similar sentiments. “Why should a woman kneel to be celebrated? That’s not love, that’s control,” said Abuja resident Chinedu Okeke. “We need to rethink what respect means in marriage.”
However, some religious leaders defended the practice. Pastor Emmanuel Okon of Grace Assembly Church said, “Kneeling is a sign of humility and reverence. It’s not about oppression — it’s about honoring your spouse in a spiritual context.”
In contrast, Rev. Sister Benedicta Udo of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo criticized the display. “Respect in marriage should be mutual. Public rituals that elevate one partner over the other send the wrong message, especially to young couples,” she said.
Government officials also weighed in. The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, called for greater sensitivity in religious and cultural practices. “We must ensure that traditions do not undermine the dignity of women. Marriage should be a partnership, not a hierarchy,” she said in a statement.
The Nigerian Human Rights Commission urged religious institutions to review practices that may perpetuate gender bias. “We respect freedom of worship, but not at the expense of human dignity,” the commission said.
The video has reignited broader conversations about gender roles in Nigerian marriages, especially within religious settings. Feminist groups and civil society organizations are calling for reforms that promote equality and mutual respect.
As the debate continues, many Nigerians are asking whether cultural traditions should evolve to reflect modern values — or whether such rituals are too deeply rooted to change.
