A Nigerian woman, Jace Ekeh, has opened up about the emotional abuse she endured during her marriage, revealing that her pastor ex-husband weaponized her infertility struggles with cruel remarks. She recalled him saying, 'Even mad women are raped on the streets and get pregnant.'
Walking Away from Abuse
According to Jace, she left her marriage in July 2018 after years of suffering. She originally shared her story on Facebook a decade ago but disguised it as happening to another woman to avoid attention and pity, and to protect her ex-husband's identity while trying to save the failing relationship.
On Thursday, May 14, 2026, she admitted on Facebook that she and her ex-husband were the actual couple in the story. She stated that she is now in a place of healing and will no longer hide her truth behind the 'third person' or metaphors.
Painful Words Remembered
While her ex-husband's words no longer hurt her, she hopes that sharing her truth will break the silence for other women burdened by shame and pressure related to infertility. She wrote, 'I have not been very accurate with my writing after all. Facebook memories can be dangerous because sometimes they remind you of versions of yourself that survived things you no longer even have the strength to describe properly.'
She recalled the exact words: 'It’s four years after marriage and you cannot give birth to a child. Even mad women are raped on the streets and get pregnant.' He also said, 'You’ll grow old and never have a child.'
The Silent Pain of Infertility
Jace described carrying the silent pain that many women battling infertility understand: the medications, waiting, monthly disappointments, hope, prayers, quiet crying, and pretending to be okay in public. She emphasized that emotional abuse leaves invisible bruises, and words can linger in a person's mind for years.
She reflected, 'Reading it just after morning devotion today made me realize how much of my story I buried in metaphors just to survive emotionally. Thankfully they don't hurt anymore.'
Encouragement for Others
Jace acknowledged that many people might still be hiding their pain behind stories of 'someone I know,' laughing through pain, and writing indirectly. She urged that no one should weaponize another person's deepest pain, whether it be infertility, finances, family background, appearance, or past mistakes.
She concluded, 'Love does not deliberately stab where it knows you are already bleeding. And to every woman silently carrying the pain of waiting for a child while also carrying the weight of shame, pressure or cruel comments… I see you. More importantly, God sees you too.'
