Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'reproductive rights'.
Found 1 result
-
This is going to be a long read. I champion reproductive Rights as provided for by Article 14 of the Protocol to the African charter on human right on the rights of women (Maputo protocol) which has long been ratified in Nigeria and is enforceable in our Courts. The Article provides for the sexual and reproductive Rights of women in Africa; including the right to decide whether or not to have children, their spacing and the number of children. I am for women having the liberty and being supported to decide what do with their bodies and not being shamed or criticized for not wanting kids at all or for not wanting more than a certain number. People on the other side tend to argue that every woman in Nigeria wants kids, and so this right is irrelevant and not reflective of cultural realities of our time. I don't think that is the case. What's your take on this? Are there women in Nigeria who would be grateful for this provision? I believe that majority of decisions taken by individuals in Nigeria are influenced by our communal culture. The community is greater than the individual. Being a "free spirit" is frowned upon. I believe there are lots of women who would rather not have kids (at least biologically) for different reasons ranging from fear of childbirth pains, not wanting to risk some health challenges to just not wanting to be bothered. This doesn't make them horrible or selfish people. It just makes them people who have made a choice different from the expected trajectory. The reason why it seems like there isn't much of such women in Nigeria is because they rather conform than face the criticisms that follow such decisions. People doubt your sanity, tell you that you can never love an adopted child as much as you would love a biological child, or tell you that you will grow out of such decisions by "45". We hope one day for a country where there is a balance between collective needs and individual needs, where individuals are not crucified for wanting to be different. That is the only way rights like sexual and reproductive rights can be respected.
.thumb.jpeg.3050b91b227bfcd511af4ca398e11061.jpeg)
