By: Dianah Mutimura
Igihe.com Reporter Diana Mutimura talked to different people around Kigali city and recorded divergent views about the use of family planning methods.
In Remera several married men understand and give value to the family planning methods because they believe that family planning initiatives help spacing children and according to respondents, this is healthy to both the child and mother.
Mupenzi Ismail, the head of Remera mosque says that family planning methods are acceptable and even the Islam Quran advises to space children for at least two years of breast-feeding.
However, he adds that the only problem of the family planning methods, is especially the women that misuse medications thus end up enduring the side effects. Otherwise the Islamic religion teaches followers to avoid anything that could affect their lives.
He advises couples to opt for methods that would not bring conflicts to their homes. Mupenzi says he has been married for over 12 years and the couple have only four children who are healthy because they adhere to the family planning guidelines. Sometimes he uses a condom which he says has no side effects to their health.
Mugabo Hassan, another married of islam faith and treasurer at Remera Mosque adds that using family planning methods is very important because he knew how great it was when the couple were able to space the birth to fifth child.
He says his wife used to tell him to consider family planning to minimize the size of their family but he could not heed to her advice. But today all is well because they have embraced family planning methods.
While some families may want many children, others may want only one or two. Certain families may choose not to have any children at all.
Uwimana Eugenia, a married businesswoman at Remera market says that she and her husband decided they will have more children later and currently they use condoms.
She says some people wonder how married couples can use condoms. But if it is for the good of the family and the communication between both makes them understand each other for the good of their health was well as better livelihood of their children, it is becomes one of the method which has no side effects at all.
Many mothers like Uwimana say that family planning methods play a major role in strengthening their families.
Mugabo Claria a mother of three who sells clothes at Remera market explains that all her children have a spacing of three years and she did that with the help of using contraceptive pills even if she would experience some challenges.
She confesses that she cannot say that pills are 100% perfect but they are of great use to the married couples for spacing births. She advises young girls who are not yet married not to use them because they can affect their lives in future.
Murekatete Jane, fruits seller and mother of 5children said that, she had arguments with her husband several times by trying to persuade him to consider family planning but the man would refuse fearing to risks involved.
However, she explains, that as days went on he started understanding the importance of using family planning. Later he accompanied her to the health centre to have a coil fixed. She has since been using the coil for two years and sometimes he is the one to remind her to go back to the hospital.
A gynecologist at Polyfam hospital at Remera who preferred to remain anonymous, says that ever since Rwanda embarked on teaching people the importance of family planning, women have managed to focus and appreciate the importance of family planning.
Women can now have enough time to prepare for another child and that time is not wasted as they are involved with different income generation activities without hindrances related unplanned pregnancies.
This doctor adds that at the Clinique they witness a number of women that seek for any family planning method and estimated 80% of women now understand the importance of family planning.
Karemera Augustine, a pharmacist adds that many people now understand the meaning of family planning methods and especially the youth.
He says their patients mostly are young boys and girls who come to buy pills and condoms for their safety from unwanted pregnancies and they no longer hear of many young girls being sent back home from school because of pregnancies, which shows how family planning methods have played a vital role in our country.
However, social and cultural barriers in Rwanda make family planning a difficult package to sell. There cultural belief that children are a blessing from God. At traditional marriage ceremonies, newly married couples are urged to be fruitful, ‘may you have many sons and daughters’ is a regular blessing at many ceremonies.
Majority of Catholic and born again churches do not support the use of family planning because the bible says that every couple should produce and multiply the world. God cannot judge you because of trying to figure out the world.
Umutoni Christine a born-again convert believes that it is very important to use family planning methods because even God cannot punish you for that.
She goes further to notes that, even if it were her she would use one but because she’s still single she can’t use them until the she get married.
Niyomugabo Jean Bosco, 24 and a clothes retail seller at Remera market says he can never sleep with his girlfriend without using condom because he fears the risk of impregnating her when he isn’t yet prepared for cerebrating their marriage.
He stresses he would rather use condoms because it protects both unwanted pregnancy and transmitted diseases like AIDS yet condoms do not have any side effect like other methods.
Umurerwa Catherine says that she would rather use condom than pills because she believes she is too young to use other methods.
It puts a positive twist on things by talking about the advantages of having smaller families in terms of improved health and education opportunities.
In addition, family planning was seen as an essential way to reduce high levels of infant and maternal mortality, despite the fact that the interviewed did not accept the idea of vasectomy as method of family planning on the side of men.
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