Why are women in Africa still pressured to have children?

DW (English)

In many African societies, women are directly or indirectly pressured to bear children. DW finds out what women think of this issue as International Women's Day approaches.

Transcript

00:00What do you think is the most important thing for a woman to have children?

00:08I think the society should stop pressurizing women to have kids

00:12because it's their opinion, it's their body

00:16and they have the right to choose to have kids or not to have kids.

00:19Even though I don't have a child and I'm okay with the way I am,

00:22but you know, you have a lot of issues maybe within the family or the husband.

00:27There are cultures here, in our country,

00:30where a woman who doesn't have children is considered useless.

00:36Can I say that? She's not considered a woman.

00:38Here, for us, in most cultures, a woman should have children.

00:42She should have children with her partner.

00:44Form a family.

00:46No, it's not acceptable.

00:48You have to have children.

00:49You have to continue with the procreation.

00:51No, they're not wrong.

00:53But I think it shouldn't be common.

00:56It shouldn't be a normal thought.

00:59A woman should want to have children.

01:02I think that's her natural desire.

01:05Honestly, I think it's up to a woman and what she wants.

01:08It's her body, it's her choice.

01:10No culture, no environment, no society is up to tell her what to not do and do with her body.

01:17You know, a child gives you another chance to live.

01:51A woman should have children.

01:53A woman should have children.

01:55A woman should have children.

Category

Transcript

Recommended