“Ignore Gender Pressures and Follow Your Dreams,” Bolanle Austen-Peters Advises Women

Nigerian lawyer and filmmaker, Bolanle Austen-Peters advocated for genderless parenting, advising women to ignore gender pressures and follow their dreams. She shared this during her interview with News Central TV. 

In an interview with News Central TV, Nigerian lawyer and filmmaker Bolanle Austen-Peters advocated a gender-neutral approach to raising children and encouraged women to stop following society’s script. This interview occurred on Thursday, March 12, 2026, as part of the station’s special series for International Women’s Day celebration.

Speaking with journalist Bongani Siziba, the filmmaker challenged the societal constraint that limits human potential based on gender. She argued that this gender-based construct is society’s fault rather than biological realities, urging parents to focus on fostering a child’s individual talents and potential.

“This thing of always focusing on who is a boy or who is a girl. I don’t care about those issues. My message to you is just be you. You’re a human being first,” she stated.

Additionally, Bolanle emphasised that women should resist gender pressures and roles that limit their potential.

“Just be true to yourself. Go for your dreams, achieve the God-given gifts that he has given you, actualise them, and the world is your oyster,” Bolanle said.