Exploring the Experiences of Childless Women in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State

The study aims to examine the experiences of childless women in Apapa Local Government of Lagos State. Structural Functionalism theory is the explanatory framework for this work. The study employs in-depth and key informant interviews for data collection. It revealed that childlessness is viewed as a taboo, a disease, a stigma, and a killjoy in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State. Women without children are given horrible names; for instance, some are labeled ‘witches’ and some are called ‘barren’ regardless of the reason for their childlessness. However, childlessness is caused by non-medical and medical conditions. It was equally established that some childlessness may have no known cause. Couples in childless marriages undergo the highest level of stigmatization, name-calling, shaming, and humiliation. Childless women suffer more than men in their marriages. Therefore, childless women should be shown love and protected by their husbands and other relations from any unfair treatment, name-calling, and stigmatization.