Nollywood actress Teniola Aladese has sparked fresh debate over traditional household gender roles, questioning why domestic responsibilities are still widely viewed as a woman’s duty.
Speaking on a recent podcast, the actress challenged long-standing stereotypes that assign cooking, cleaning, and childcare primarily to women — even in households where both partners are employed.
“Why can’t a man wash the dishes? Why do we continue to uphold these gender stereotypes?” she asked.
“Women Work Too”
Aladese highlighted what she described as an imbalance within modern homes, noting that many women manage full-time careers yet remain solely responsible for domestic chores.
“Women cook, clean, wash plates, while men just focus on work. But women also work. We hustle just like them,” she said.
She described the exhaustion that often follows a full workday, only for women to return home to another shift of unpaid labour.
“Why is it that as soon as we get home, it’s the woman who has to do everything — cook, clean, wash… it’s exhausting!” she stated.
Modern Realities Require Modern Thinking
According to the actress, societal structures have evolved and household roles should evolve alongside them.
“Our mothers may have handled it, but things are different now. Both men and women work. So why can’t men pitch in with chores?” she asked.
Her comments frame domestic work as a shared responsibility rather than a gender-based obligation.
Partnership Over Stereotypes
Aladese also dismissed the idea that helping with chores diminishes masculinity.
“It’s not about being less of a man; it’s about partnership. These stereotypes need to stop,” she said.
With a blunt closing statement, she added: “Women are tired. We work too. Let’s share the load.”
Her remarks have reignited conversations about equality, partnership dynamics, and evolving gender norms within Nigerian households, particularly among younger, dual-income couples navigating modern family life.
