Media personality and actress, Toke Makinwa, has encouraged unmarried women and those yet to have children not to allow societal pressure to define their worth.
The 40-year-old, who recently welcomed her first child, a baby girl named Yakira Eliana, shared her reflections in an emotional Instagram post, stressing that marriage and motherhood should not be seen as the ultimate markers of a woman’s fulfillment.
Makinwa, who posted screenshots of negative comments from online trolls, said she was grateful for God’s timing, adding that despite years of public criticism over her marital status and childbearing, she has now found joy in becoming a mother at the right time.
“Funny how no matter how much you rise career-wise as a woman, society still glorifies the things that haven’t happened for you yet,” she wrote. “Marriage has become some sort of a yardstick to fulfilment, and if you don’t have a child yet… hmmmmmmm! Very loaded sigh.”
The author and entrepreneur revealed that she battled fear and negativity throughout her pregnancy but found strength in her faith. She noted that “perfect love drowns out fear” and credited God’s timing for her new season of joy.
Encouraging women facing delay, shame, or societal expectations, she added:
“I am thankful I did not settle, I’m thankful I got to be a mum when I am ready, I am thankful I rejected all these labels, and I am grateful it happened not when I wanted it but when God’s timing was right. It is perfect!”
Makinwa urged women to hold on, silence external pressure, and celebrate themselves at every stage of life. She concluded with a message of hope:
“Congratulations in advance to anyone waiting. It doesn’t have to be a child; whatever you’re waiting on, it’s here.”
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