Nigerian singer, Onyeka Onwenu, has narrated her battle with constant depression caused by her marriage to ex-husband.
The singer, in a recent magazine feature, said women make sacrifices in order to preserve their homes.
She said that she faced constant depression to the extent that her kids began to take note of her mood; stating that her decision to quit the marriage was to fight for her happiness.
She further advised women against staying in a toxic marriage.
She said “Unless it happens to you, you really don’t understand the sacrifices that women make. It’s about the love thing, it’s about the children as well. We want to preserve a home where there is a father and there is a unit.
“But, if it’s going to take your life, get out fast, run! Because your children without you will suffer more.
“And by the way, you don’t need to be in an environment where there is emotional trauma, emotional abuse, to the extent that the woman is constantly depressed.
“And there were years where I was constantly depressed and my children noticed. On my fiftieth birthday, my first son was asked what she wished his mother, and he said something that struck me.
“He said he just wants the mother to be happy. I was surprised, I was shocked that I didn’t fool these guys.
“And I took a decision that day to fight for my happiness—my fulfillment, my joy and not waiting for my husband to take care of me as he used to, and should do. I decided to do all of that for myself and there was a change.”
She concluded “So, don’t wait to be killed. You have children, and you have to be alive to take care of them. Also, depression is not a good thing.”
