Cohabitation reduces the value and dignity of women

Greetings to the change makers all over the world. This is a true story where a secondary school girl (form 5) came across a man who is a contractor and they grew attracted to each other and started dating. In the course of dating, the man showered her with a lot expensive material gifts and before she could realise, she was already pregnant for this guy which caused her to be expelled from school. On her return home to her family with her pregnancy, her family was so disappointed and furious that they had to send her away to the man who impregnated her because according to them she chosed the man over her education. She went to the man and was well treated until she put to bed a boy child. After the birth of that child she didn't return to school but rather became pregnant again. Instead for the man to go and see her parents to marry her he rather advised her to abort the pregnancy but she refused and this made the man to change his attitude towards her. He began to beat her in that condition, didn't give her money for antenatal or food, he slept out most nights and sometimes brought in other girls to spend the night at his place while his pregnant girl friend sleeps in the floor and when she asks why he treats her that way his response is beating her and asking her to leave him and this traumatised the girl a lot. To top this she had no work and knew no handwork so she couldn't fend for herself.

I came to know this girl Through a friend who told who told me about the situation. I asked her to introduce the girl to me which she did and then I begged for some time alone with her. She was shy to open up at the begining until I told her stories about myself. She then told me everything in tears and I asked about her parents and if it was possible to see them. She first refused because of fear but i convinced her and told her she won't be alone. We fixed a day and we went three to her parents house. Myself, the friend who introduced me to her and the girl herself.

It was a little difficult for her parents to accept us into their house because of the shame and disgrace she brought upon them, she fell on her knees in tears with her boy child, held the feet of her parents pleading for forgiveness. This soften the hearts of her parents a little and they asked us in to the house though they were still bitter. we pleaded on behalf of the girl and asked them "if a child excretes on your hand, will you cut the hand and throw away?'' Obviously not, she has made a big mistake and everyone makes and learns from mistakes they should please cover their eyes to her mistake and accept her cause she could die in that house. It wasn't easy to convince them as it took us about 3hours it was really a hard nut to crack but thank God her parents forgave her and took her in with her child. She then learned how to make peanuts. I taught her to make peanuts and scotch egg. She's now a supplier of peanuts and sells the scotch egg in front of her house which helps her take care of herself and her 2 children. She sat for her advance level this year and is awaiting result. She is an empowered lady now.

To all ladies out there, cohabition is no form of marriage and not all that glitters is gold.