Etinosa Idemudia slams gender bias in entertainment venues
Actress Etinosa Idemudia has called on feminists to support her campaign against what she described as discriminatory treatment of women who visit clubs, bars and hotels without male companions. In
- By Yewande Fasan
Actress Etinosa Idemudia has called on feminists to support her campaign against what she described as discriminatory treatment of women who visit clubs, bars and hotels without male companions.
In a recent Instagram post, Idemudia recounted instances where she was denied entry into entertainment venues because she arrived alone, despite being willing to pay like other patrons.
She stated that women are often restricted from accessing such spaces without male accompaniment, while men face no similar limitations.
The actress criticised the double standard, questioning why women are subjected to scrutiny over their presence in social spaces, while men are allowed unrestricted access.
Idemudia stressed that a woman’s decision to visit a venue alone should not be interpreted as an indication of involvement in illicit activities. She also faulted the assumption that unaccompanied women are engaged in transactional relationships.
Sharing that some of these experiences occurred during a challenging period in her marriage, she called for collective action to confront and change the prevailing social norms.
She added, "I am a one man Mopol and I know there are other ladies like me. I remember when 2014 I was an engineer surviving a messy marriage. I went alone to clubs to spend my oil and gas money to drink and forget my difficult situation. I went alone. Yes I experienced this so I went to just one place that knew me to avoid nonsense and insult. I spent my own money, enjoyed myself and went home.
"When I came to lagos to start my acting career, I remember going to some places alone to chill and facing the same issues. I wasn't a hook up, I just wanted to enjoy music and watch others dance. I fought and I got in (probably when they hear the big big English I'm speaking)
"This thing has gone on for so long and I wonder, why are men not facing it. Why do they think every girl who is not with a man is an OS. And if they are OS, isn't it the same men who want them? Why don't they discriminate against men who are alone. So men cannot be OS??? It's sickening though".
