Prioritise awareness on family planning

The international community yesterday marked the World Population Day, with the government expressing optimism that population growth will not jeopardise the country’s economic prospects – considering recent gains in family planning.Official figures indicate that 45 per cent of Rwandan women were using modern family planning methods by 2010, up from 10 per cent in 2005. And on average, the fertility rate among the Rwandan women fell to 4.6 per cent in 2010, down from 6.4 in 2005.These figures suggest that what the country has achieved over the past few years is no mean feat. Nonetheless, Rwanda is the most densely populated country on the continent. With the current population growth rate, there are genuine fears that population explosion could strain household and national resources.Even as the country boasts one of the highest economic growth rates in the region and beyond – posting 8.8 per cent last year – it is critical that the population growth be slowed further, if both the mid- and long-term economic targets are to be achieved.While the government must continue to play a central role, more actors need to get onboard, particularly the civil society, and take the campaign right to the grassroots. Rwandans must outgrow notions that undermine family planning, including religious and cultural beliefs.Above all, women need to be empowered to have a say on the number of children they should have.Both husband and wife must understand that having children they are unable to cater for is not only a burden to the well being of entire family but the nation as a whole.Family planning should be placed high up the national priority list.

Opinions

Prioritise awareness on family planning