Founder of Young Queen Innovation Nigeria, Merry Lawal, has cautioned women against allowing pastors to interfere in their marriages, warning that such interference often stems from misinterpretation of Biblical scriptures.
Speaking in Abeokuta, the gender justice advocate and youth empowerment promoter said many pastors have continued to mislead women by presenting submission as a divine commandment rather than a cultural consequence.
“Genesis 3:16 makes it clear that submission is a punishment, not a commandment,” Lawal said. “It states, ‘Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception… and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.’ This was a consequence, not an instruction.”
Lawal, known for her work in transformative education and advocacy, argued that submission in marriage should not be portrayed as a one-sided obligation.
According to her, marriage should be rooted in mutual respect, love, and understanding — values that are often overshadowed when religious leaders enforce rigid interpretations of scripture.
“Unfortunately, these misleading doctrines are often reinforced by pastors who say things like, ‘A woman who refuses to submit to her husband is disobeying God,’ or that ‘submission is an ordinance from God.’ These are misquotes that need to be challenged,” she said.
Lawal urged women to take ownership of their marriages and to resist external religious pressures that undermine their autonomy.
“No man — whether a pastor or otherwise — has the right to interfere in marital matters. Marriage requires mutual dependence,” she added.
She reaffirmed her commitment to empowering women and girls through initiatives that challenge societal norms and foster leadership.
“We need to critically engage with tradition, culture, and faith in a way that empowers women to find their voice and shape their destiny,” she concluded.
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