Misogyny doesn’t always announce itself in grand gestures. Sometimes, it slips into casual conversations, workplace interactions, relationships and even unsolicited opinions from men who seem to think women need reminding of their place. In this piece, we asked women to share some of the most outrageous, infuriating and downright misogynistic things men have said to them.
1. “You know, for a girl, you’re pretty smart” — Maria*, 23
He said to me while we were discussing the key themes in the movie Parasite. I blocked him that day.
2. “You’re a woman nau. Is your place not in the kitchen?” — Kayla*, 26
He was my ex-partner, and he wanted me to cook food for him while he watched a football match, even though he was aware that I’d had a very long day.
3. “A woman cannot lead the school senate. It has never happened before. At most, she can be a deputy” — Layla*, 22
A school administrator said to me when I expressed my interest in contesting for Senate President at my school.
4. “Wallahi, the only reason why you got the promotion is because our boss wants to suck those big breasts” — Bella*, 27
He’s my colleague, and I know he only said that because he was also considered for that same promotion. Bitter fool.
5. “Women are only good for fucking and not dating” — Lola*, 25
He was my class crush, and I heard him saying that to his friend group while we were waiting for our lecturer. I wanted to kill him.
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6. “You know, you’re a girl. You should learn to shut up when men are talking” — Rita*, 28
I was arguing with him, and he said that, probably in the hopes that I would stop talking. Unfortunately for him, I’ve never been a woman of few words, and I doubled down.
7. “You’ll still marry because women have to be under a man to navigate life well” — Fatimah*, 27
I was 16, and this older man, who was toasting me, said this after I told him I don’t need a man to be fulfilled.
8. “You have an iPhone 17? Which Alhaji destroyed your hole before you were able to get it?” — Amina*, 28
My co-worker “jokingly” asked me when he came to my desk and saw me with my new phone. I reported him to HR, and he was penalised.
9. “As a man, it’s okay for us to cheat, but when women do it, it just makes them used goods” — Maria*, 23
I was on a bus when I heard this from the man behind me, and I had to remind myself that I’m too beautiful to go to jail.
10. “But isn’t it you women’s job to reproduce?” — Sophia*, 24
My talking stage asked after I told him I can’t wait to make my big girl money and finally get a hysterectomy.
11. “I know women’s brains don’t boot properly, so let me help” — Kike*, 20
My coursemate said to me after he heard me rant to my best friend about the assignment our statistics lecturer gave us. I don’t know why he thought I was going to be impressed by that.
12. “You don’t know how to cook? Are you sure you will be useful to your husband?” — Bolu*, 24
My uncle said to me after my mum joked about my horrendous cooking skills at a family event. I ignored him.
13. “Just use your pretty privilege. Isn’t that what you used to get the job in the first place?” — Eva*, 30
My ex fuck buddy after I told him I didn’t know how to approach my boss for a salary increase.
14. “A woman must not be too ambitious. Who will marry her?” — Tega*, 24
I was outlining my 5-year plan to my male friend, and this was his response.
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15. “Football is a male sport. I don’t understand why there’s a female team.” – Amara*, 26
He was a male football player whose tiny brain couldn’t comprehend why our Sports CDS had a women’s team.
16. “It’s still so surprising to me that a woman is the best student in a computer science class” — Tunmise*, 20
An acquaintance said to me when he found out that I had the highest CGPA in my class.
17. “ Didn’t you come to university to find a husband? Why are you talking about working?” — Mariam*, 28
My lecturer to me while I was talking to him about career options I wanted to explore after graduation.
18. “Women don’t think critically, and that’s why they can’t make it in life” — Latifah*, 25
The jean seller I was planning to buy jeans from said while on the phone with his friend. I stood up and left immediately. Foolish man.
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