‘Motherhood is a role, an office…’ Emmy Kosgei defends being childfree
Nigerian-based gospel singer Emmy Kosgei has boldly challenged societal norms surrounding motherhood, asserting that her definition extends far beyond traditional expectations.
Emmy Kosgei and her Nigerian husband, Pastor Anselm Madubuko have been married for 10 years, and they share an awesome bond.
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Kosgei embraced the experience of being a mother to her husband’s three children and grandchildren.
“By the time we married, my husband had three children: two daughters and a son. And grandchildren. They all call me a mother,” she revealed
In an interview with Lynne Ngugi, Kosgei expressed her refusal to conform to narrow definitions of motherhood, emphasising her role in nurturing nations and communities.
Kosgei critiqued societal stereotypes that view women solely as objects meant to bear children, highlighting the damaging effects of such narratives.
“It is subjecting women…I am not an object. Both men and women are not objects. No law says you must do this to fulfill this,” she asserted, challenging the notion that motherhood is solely defined by childbirth.
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Acknowledging the diversity of experiences among women, Kosgei emphasized that motherhood encompasses a wide range of roles and responsibilities beyond physical childbirth.
“You look at people, you don’t know why they are doing something and then you start judging them. People are going through a lot. You cannot judge them. You can’t assume that motherhood is giving birth physically. Motherhood is a role, it is an office. It is a wide range of things. Some people have just limited it to one thing,” she said.
For Kosgei, motherhood extends beyond biological ties to include nurturing and mentorship.
She shared her involvement in mentorship programs for young women and families in her community and church, emphasizing her role as a maternal figure in guiding and supporting others.
“I am raising more kids than I can even tell. I am educating and feeding so many kids. I am mothering old and young women at our church,” she said.