“Good luck getting laid, especially in Florida! Because me and my girlies are participating in the 4B movement,” one American TikToker said. Following Trump’s sweeping win in the US election, conversations on adopting the 4B movement have been making rounds on TikTok, X, and Instagram. US women of all ages were discussing the pros and cons of commencing South Korea’s 4B movement, with each person committing themselves to a version they see fit. 

What is the 4B movement?

To understand the 4B movement we must visit the origin of the character B. B (the prefix 비 or bi) is a Chinese character that means “not to do”, indicating a negation or disavowal. The nomenclature 4B represents the movement’s four principles: bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating), and bisekseu (no sex). Young women in South Korea are saying NO to men. They are refusing the societal expectations of marriage, motherhood, and heterosexual relationships. 

Since the late 2010s, Korean women have been fighting against their country’s patriarchal culture with unprecedented force. Through a local #MeToo movement, they exposed the sexual misconduct of many powerful men, including that of a presidential aspirant. This ideology was developed in South Korean feminist circles in the mid-to-late 2010s during a wave of violence against women in the country. The country has been scourged with sexual crimes against women, especially digital violence, such as the use of spy cams to secretly film women, which are rampant in both public and private spheres. South Korean women are often pressured to give up their careers after childbirth and those who work outside the home still carry the burden of household chores and childcare duties. This has pushed South Korean feminists to swear off men and leave them behind since they have refused repentance. Nonetheless, it is also good to note that some South Koreans have come to social media to explain that the 4B movement is not as boisterous as the Western media makes it appear. The women involved in the 4B movement are a little fraction of the population and it's being picked up in the media because of how catchy the headlines can be.

The 4B movement has been accused as the major reason South Korea’s fertility rate is the world’s lowest.  To the extent that the low birth rate has been declared a national emergency. But we cannot disregard the untenable cost of family housing and childhood education in Seoul and other major cities, the workaholic culture, the jarring gender pay gap, and other high financial burdens that have plagued both men and women in South Korea.  

Why should Nigerian women consider the 4B movement?

The realities of a South Korean woman are almost homogeneous to that of a Nigerian woman. Similarly to South Korea, Nigeria is a country ingrained in patriarchal norms and inequality and this fuels all kinds of gender-based violence. This year alone we witnessed a surge of femicide reports on social media. From Christianah Idowu who was killed by family friend Ayomide Adeleye to Ogechukwu Okafor who was stabbed to death by her husband Elijah Emeka Ibeabuchi. These horrifying cases leave the average Nigerian questioning the number of cases that don't make it to the media. Nigerian women are also susceptible to online gender-based violence. Earlier this year, a group chat on Telegram was exposed X (Twitter). This group chat was filled with scoundrels who leaked and demanded nudes of female Twitter influencers. The economic condition of Nigeria is also not even favourable. Overall, annual inflation, which is the average rate at which prices go up, is now close to 30% - the highest figure in nearly three decades. The cost of food has risen even more - by 35%. Over half of the Nigerian population is no longer or is struggling to afford food and children are dying in war numbers. This sparks our curiosity, what do Nigerian women think about the 4B movement? Has it ever been considered? Are Nigerian Women ready to mirror their Korean peers, or is the calamity that has befallen Nigeria not enough for Nigerian women to lock their wombs and segregate themselves as a form of protest?

Here is what Nigerian women from diverse backgrounds think about the 4B movement. 

Can you participate in the 4b movement?

Stephanie (22): Yes

Ife (28): Maybe. There are some ideals that I'd find difficult to adhere to. I'm a bi-curious woman, but I'm currently romantically involved with a man who I care about, deeply. 

Omosalewa (24): Even before hearing about it, I was already practicing it

Uzoamaka (32): Maybe, it’s an option. 

Jewel (30): Yes, I already practice the 2Bs of the 4Bs.

Aminat (17): Yes. 

Elle (19): Maybe, I am in a straight presenting relationship so…

Bugsbunny (25): Maybe, I can participate fully in 3B out of the 4B

Catherine(25): I haven’t heard of this movement prior to this interview, and believe it’s a misandrist movement. It’s not something I can participate in. While I can keep with the no marriage and no childbirth, I'm not sure I can do with the no sex and no dating. 

Nosirat (19): Maybe

Olabimpe (21): Yes

Esther (21): Yes

Comfort (23): Yes. I am, literally, not involved with men in any of the 4B ways. I do have male friends though.

Rara (24): Maybe. I believe it's a misandrist movement. However, I believe in misandry. Misandry is promoted by misogyny and it is necessary to even the scales for women to properly partake in this world. 

Is the movement needed in Nigeria?

Uzoamaka: I wouldn’t use the word “need”, but if some women want this then great!

Aminat: It is necessary for the liberation of women worldwide 

Elle: Oh! Yes! Absolutely! 

Catherine: Not really

Comfort: Of course. Women need to step back and see the people they are dealing with. I want to be partnered one day, but I can’t be with a man who has even a drop of misogyny in him. 

Why do you want to participate in the 4B movement?

Stephanie: To be very honest, if we ever reach an incel-level situation happening in South Korea then it would be the least of my worries to act on as a form of rebellion

Jewel: I want BETTER for women.

Aminat: Feminist values need to be ingrained into society, and it can only happen after generations of hard work and sacrifice. 

Nosirat: From what I understand about the 4B women, it’s basically not lying with the enemy. It originated in South Korea which is understandable because of the huge incel and misogynistic culture; South Korean men hate women, sexually harass women with no repercussions, and despise feminists who just simply fight for women’s rights, so it brings us to ask, who these women who willingly lay with these men? The 4B woman is a way women can protest and protect their rights. This ongoing movement affects South Korea in different forms, especially its declining population. Perhaps this is what Nigeria needs, so the country will learn to start prioritising women and start giving SA victims the justice they deserve. In fact, I believe the question should be “Why not a 4B movement?”

Olabimpe: Men are shielded from the consequences of their actions and socialisation. They need their reality absolutely shattered. We can "open their eyes" by taking away all forms of support and unpaid, unrequited labour they enjoy from women.

Esther: Every woman has been condemned to the fate of being hurt, killed, assaulted, and harassed by men. It's only fair for us to not want to have anything to do with them.

Comfort: I think it’s cool. Men are not good people and women need to stay away from them. Simple. 

Rara: Women are human beings, and if drastic measures need to be taken to remind us of this fact, then cool. 

Will the movement be successful in Nigeria?

Stephanie: Using Nigeria as a case study, it won’t be successful, there is a huge wealth gap between men and women. It will be excruciatingly difficult for many women, especially the conservative ones. 

Ife: In Nigeria, I doubt if it would be. Religion and culture-upheld misogyny are two benchmarks that are really hard to get rid of, particularly because they've been ingrained in us since birth. 

Omosalewa: Sigh. I don't think it will be a successful movement in the foreseeable future. We are not cohesive even as a gender, not even in feminist groups

Uzoamaka: 50/50 chance. If women stay strong in their decisions, it works; if they waver, it flops. There’s also the possibility of a change of ideology.

Jewel: On a scale of 1 - 10, 3.5. It’s just going to be difficult for a plethora of reasons: society, religion,  individualism, etc. 

Aminat: Mildly successful. To be very honest, some women don’t want to be set free, they enjoy their cages.

Elle: If executed by most women, then yes.  

Bugsbunny: Maybe 70%. We can’t choose our sexuality and our attractiveness to men. 

Catherine: It will not be successful because it's an unrealistic goal; The major point of creation is to procreate

Nosirat: It can NEVER be successful in Nigeria. Because religion and some of our “cultures” thrive, it won’t be possible. Women in Nigeria have been programmed to believe they are second to a man, and their awful behavior is just a man being a man, so protesting for their rights is never something they think of. Also, most religions have made women believe the end goal is marriage. Now, what is marriage with the 4B movement?

Olabimpe: In Nigeria, unsuccessful. Too much internalised misogyny. 

Esther: With Nigerian women, I don't think it's feasible, most of them struggle with the idea of feminism, talk more of the 4b movement 

Comfort: In Nigeria? Hmm. I have feminist friends who want kids(I don't want kids, by the way), and they want to get married. They have accepted that their partner will be misogynistic, as long as it’s not too much. I think for 4b to work women will have to give up the idea of getting married and having kids, especially in their 20s(the typical age of wanting these things is late 20s).In fact, It might never happen, women are not willing to accept that. I have accepted it. It really hurts because I  like romance and the concept of relationships, but I can’t stand any misogyny, so even if I marry one I definitely leave the next day if I hear nonsense from his mouth. 

Rara: Not as successful at first, because of the emotional attachment involved, but with more time it can gain traction. It is also good to note that, It can fail because women have different politics despite having similar experiences. 

What part of the movement do you think Nigerian women are most likely to disregard?

Stephanie: The no sex with men will be hard, because men will use that financial power they have over many women in this country as a tool (sex).

Ife: No sex with men

Omosalewa: No to sex with men

Aminat: Birthing. African women love children, and we’ve been socialized to prioritise them as well.

Elle: Not being in relationships with men, because most people already are

Bugsbunny: No sex with men. 

Catherine: No dating and no sex with men

Nosirat: Definitely “no sex with men”, in as much as women in Nigeria most likely do not derive pleasure from sex they still believe it is their responsibility to sexually satisfy a man.

Olabimpe: Every part of the movement.  

Esther: As I said, the 4b movement is not possible in Nigeria. Women are obsessed with the idea of giving birth and procreating. They even struggle with the idea of hating men, they will never stop dating or having sex with them.

Comfort: Sex is even too far,  the idea of no talking stage will be difficult. I have friends who talk to men for emotional support/dependence. So yeah, talking to men will be hard to stop.

Rara: Intimate relationships.