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Let's Talk Family Planning
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by Sikunoma Siazele Siawapa
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Gwembe District Director of Health
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P.O. Box 34, Gwembe, Zambia
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The district of Gwembe is the third-fastest growing district in Zambia
(5.52% annually), after urban Lusaka (7%) and Mufumbwe (5.72%); the national
average is 3.1%. Yet Gwembe is one of the most economically and commercially
undeveloped districts in Zambia, with perpetual droughts resulting in perennial
food deficits. The malnutrition levels in children under 5 years of age
is 35-40%. The level of illiteracy approximates 65% despite the long existence
of such famous schools as Chabbobboma St. Patrick's and Chaanga.
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Many a wife has lived in marriage only to realize the futility of her childhood
dreams of a thrilling and blissful home. Marriage ends up being a vicious
cycle:
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being pregnant
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giving birth
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breast feeding
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being pregnant again
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Some women do not even have a chance to menstruate between pregnancies.
One sadly notes that in all these activities blood and energy are lost:
in pregnancy, you feed the unborn child; in labor, you loose blood; and
in breast feeding, you loose blood (milk).
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As though that were not enough, women are worn out by exhausting daily
chores, often ignoring their own needs:
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sweeping the house or the premises
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carrying water on their heads in 20-liter pails several times a day, often
from distant sources and up steep climbs
pounding and grinding in preparation for the day's meal
tilling the fields
looking for relish (vegetables)
preparing meals
readying the husband's bath
doing laundry for the family
bathing the children
visiting the antenatal clinic and taking the children to the children's
clinic when necessary
And the list goes on . . .
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At the end of the day, they have no time to clean up and look presentable;
they are merely sick and tired. Come evening, their husbands are ready
to pounce on them, much to their distaste and dissatisfaction, only to
satisfy their own needs and egos. No man ever thinks of giving his wife
the consideration she deserves; yet it is as much her right as his to enjoy
sexual relations.
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As a result of the scenario described above, men often feel dissatisfied
with their uncomely and unenthusiastic mates and start looking for secondary
partners, thus engaging in either polygamous relationships or extramarital
affairs, which also often result in more offspring. These situations further
add to the socio-economic and health problems of the households.
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Men need to give their wives time to rest and recuperate between pregnancies,
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if they want them to remain as appealing and attractive as they found them
when they first loved them;
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if they want them to live a long and enjoyable life;
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if they want them to have healthier pregnancies and healthier babies and
healthier bodies;
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if they want to enjoy with them God's sweetest gift to men and women as
faithful, monogamous life partners.
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Family planning is an absolute necessity in today's world, of which Gwembe
is part,
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for those who want to serve their families effectively and rear healthy,
happy, God-fearing children;
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for those who want to see the love between spouses and their health grow;
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for those who want or need to devote more time to serving their community;
for those who want to engage in good stewardship for their family's
sake.
Remember,
we shall give an account to God
for the family we have brought up!
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