We recently benefited from a training day on Communication & Presentation Skills facilitated by AWDF’s Executive Director. Personally, my favourite part of the day was when we got to practice our presentation skills in a fun ‘Great Debate’. The motion was “Marriage is a waste of time for women”. I was on the team that was for the motion and judging by the reaction of the audience (AWDF staff); I think it’s fair to say we were the more popular side.

Some of the reasons my team gave in defence of the motion included:

1. Traditional expectations of ‘wives’
2. Loss of identity
3. Housework aka ‘wife work’
4. Sacrificing of personal/professional goals

Traditional expectations of wives included meeting expectations of ‘in laws’ – one of our colleagues will never forget having to make a spinach and seafood sauce for her visiting Father in law when she really had a pressing deadline to meet for her Master’s degree.

Our team also felt marriage often comes with a loss of identity. We (tongue in cheek) asked the audience what happens if you get married 5 times. Do you change your name 5 times?

Housework was one of our major points of contention. We all know its called house work but it might as well be renamed ‘wife work’. It’s usually the “wife” or female partner who has to ensure this work happens.

Sacrificing one’s personal/professional goals we felt could also be a consequence of marriage especially where women bear the main responsibility for child rearing.

On the other hand our opposing team spoke about the companionship and love within marriage advocating for a marriage which is more of a partnership where you get to share financial and other responsibilities. What are your thoughts? Is marriage a waste of time for women?

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications