Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede has criticised popular preacher Pastor Femi Lazarus for making what she described as “insensitive” and dismissive remarks about menstruation and women’s experiences.
The actress took to social media to express her disappointment after a video of the pastor’s sermon went viral.
In the trending clip, Pastor Lazarus told his congregation that menstruation should not be seen as a problem, claiming he had never read in the Bible where any woman complained about period pain. “You are not the first woman to see your period, so your menstruation is not the problem. You are simply not a peaceful person,” he said, drawing widespread outrage from viewers who accused him of trivialising women’s health issues.
Reacting through an Instagram post, Jegede urged men to show empathy and avoid speaking carelessly about biological processes they have never experienced. She wrote, “If you’ve never experienced the hormonal changes women go through during their periods, ovulation, and pregnancy, please don’t make bold statements about things you haven’t lived. Men, please be kind.”
Her post quickly gained attention from fans and fellow celebrities, with many applauding her for defending women against what they called “uninformed” and “tone-deaf” comments. Others, however, argued that the pastor’s words were taken out of context and that his message was meant to inspire emotional strength rather than diminish women’s pain.
The controversy has since sparked broader conversations online about gender sensitivity, religious teachings, and the importance of empathy when addressing health-related issues. Some social media users also called on church leaders to be more mindful of how their words can impact followers, especially on topics affecting women.
As of Thursday morning, Pastor Lazarus had yet to publicly respond to the criticism, while Jegede’s post continues to trend across several Nigerian social media platforms.
