By D, KNA
Stakeholders of reproductive health services in Homa Bay county have identified husbands as being obstacles to uptake of birth control services in the county.
Officials of non-governmental organizations including Community Aid Transformation Alliance Group (CATAG), Ipas Africa Alliance and other partners revealed that many men still deter their wives from using family planning services.
According to Mary Omwanda, the Chairperson of Nyarongi Paralegal Network in Ndhiwa Sub- County, some men caution their wives against using the various family planning methods.
“Many women still fear going for family planning because their husbands reprimand them. They fear being punished and this has been a serious challenge in many families,” Omwanda said.
She said some women use family planning methods without the consent of their husbands. But this also has repercussions when the husbands discovered them.
“The women who go for family planning in discreetly face the wrath of their husbands.” Omwanda said.
The officials spoke today during a sensitization workshop in Homa Bay town.
The Programmes Coordinator of CATAG Bazrah Dahir attributed the problem to resistance by the men to understand the significance of family planning.
“We have realised that men who deter their wives from getting family planning services do so because they don’t understand the importance of family planning.” Dahir said.
She said they have embarked on a programme to sensitize both men and women to address the issue.
The official said they were targeting bodaboda riders, fishermen and sex workers.
“We have begun a thorough sensitization program for men who operate in various sectors to change their attitude in order to avert the problem. We want both men and women to embrace family planning,” Dahir said.
According to Dinah Odoyo who works at Reproductive Health Initiative CBO, family planning enables a couple to have the number of children they can raise without straining.
“Family planning is very important because it enables one to have the number of children their families can take care of well,” Odoyo said.
The Iman of Homa Bay Jamia Mosque Zeinul Abidin, told residents to shun cultural beliefs which discouraged family planning.
“Family planning enables to create more time in taking care of their young children before giving birth to others. Let’s avoid any beliefs which negate family planning,” Abidin said.
