As the world marks this year’s Population Day, Nyamasheke District authorities have urged area residents to adopt family planning to control rapid population growth.

"The higher the number of children, the more the burden a parent has,” the vice mayor for Economic development, Charles Bahizi, warned.

Bahizi added that family planning would be the answer to poor living conditions if adopted by all residents.

Longer life expectancy and fewer cases of domestic violence were cited as some of the benefits of having a smaller family.

Some residents who spoke to The New Times hailed family planning programs for alleviating poverty in their homes.

 "My first born is 21, second born is 17 and last born is 12. I can support them, they are all in good schools, yet I have no husband,” Anonsiata Mugeni, a resident testified.

 "I practice family planning because I wanted to care for my two children. Now, the first one is in S.5, while the last child is in S.1. I pay for their tuition,” another woman said.

According to local leaders, religion hinders the use of family planning in Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts.

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