How I wished God created me as a man and not as a woman because it’s been woes and more woes since I got married to my husband. It is indeed a man’s world and no matter the amount of efforts being put in place by several pro-women organizations in this country, it doesn’t change the fact that some men will always see women as slaves.
My husband ties me up and flogs me like a child whenever there is a quarrel between us or he is unhappy with any of my actions. This is an action he keeps repeating even in the presence of my kids, and he has promised not to put an end to it until I “grow up and start behaving like a human being.” He calls me all sorts of names and believes that the best way to tame a woman is to punish and humiliate her whenever she has done wrong.
He actually started tying me down to flog me late in 2014 after I started refusing his order. He would ask me to go on my knees and stretch forth my hands for flogging. This attitude started as far back as eight years ago after we got married in the village. For many years I sheepishly obeyed him anytime he wanted to punish me; but one day I decided I wasn’t going to do that anymore. That decision of mine made him to become very harsh and brutal towards me as he now ties me like an animal and flog me like a slave.
I grew up in the village and barely have any reliable friends here in Lagos where we live. If not for my uncles who forced me to marry my husband because there was no money to train me further to the university after I finished my secondary education, I would have been a graduate by now. I lost my father while I was in JSS 1, and since then life became so tough for my mum and the rest of us. I am just tired of this marriage because everything that is happening is contrary to what my husband promised us when he came for my hand in marriage.
He promised to cater for my education and assist my younger ones; but everything seems to have changed now as he now abuses me and calls me all kinds of names. He always insults my mother; calling her a bad woman because he feels she didn’t train me well.
I feel I can’t take this anymore and I need to run as far as my legs can take me; but where can I run to, especially with my kids still very young and no money to take care of them? I have scars all over my body, and my skin doesn’t feel different from that of a slave.
Please what should I do because I am completely confused and in need of advice and help.