Rita Edochie speaks out against unfair treatment of women in marriage

Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has slammed an event MC over his remarks about cheating in marriage. She called his comments unfair to women.

Edochie reacted to a video she posted on Instagram on Monday. The video showed an MC speaking to a couple named Thomas and Mirable at what looked like a marriage event.

In the clip, which was in Igbo language, the MC told the wife that if her husband traveled for months and she cheated on him, she would "die and run mad." He then asked her to respond with "Amen." But when he spoke to the husband, Thomas, he said if he cheated, "God will forgive him because he did not do it intentionally."

These comments upset the actress. She said she hoped the video was just a joke or meant for social media.

"I am very angry this morning, and I pray this is just a joke and content," she wrote.

Edochie said if men get a pass for cheating because they are seen as "polygamous by nature," then women should get the same chance for forgiveness.

"Look, if men can be excused because they are ‘polygamous by nature,’ then women deserve the same grace, the same mercy and the same forgiveness. Enough of this gender inequality!"

She pointed out that society has long worked with one set of rules for men and another for women. Men who cheat are often called to have made a mistake or acted on their nature. But women face quick judgment and are sometimes seen as unworthy of their marriages.

Edochie asked why the same mistake has different consequences. She insisted that if marriage vows are equal, accountability and forgiveness should also be equal.

"If infidelity is a sin, then it is a sin for both. If forgiveness exists, then it should not be reserved for one gender. Justice that favours men while crushing women is not justice; it is witchcraft," she added.

The actress also said a marriage cannot succeed if men are always excused while women are expected to be perfect.

She wrapped up by saying that society cannot claim to protect marriage while applying different standards to men and women. "A principle is only a principle when it applies to everyone," she said.