As couples grapple with infertility problems worldwide, in most African societies, failure to conceive children is blamed and carried on by women yet the infertility rates in both genders are relatively close.
In Uganda, 51 and 49 percent of women and men suffer from infertility problems respectively. Speaking to the author of What Next? Denise Kekimuri, a victim of the sorrow and pain that comes with infertility, said the intention of the book is to comfort couples and people battling similar conditions.
According to Kekimuri, it is important to bridge the information gap about infertility so as to raise awareness among people and enable couples to get help while also erasing the stigma around the issue.
“Our mission is to offer support and give information as well. What you do with the information is entirely up to the couple/ person,” Kekimuri noted, while in an interview with Crystal Newman on The Groove Cafe.
She explained that people may have symptoms of infertility but are ignorant of them. She gave an instance of the heavy and painful periods among women and clots that could be a sign of gynecological disorders such as polyps or endometrial hyperplasia.
Further, she noted that the play Still A Mum by Sheila Ajok thoroughly portrayed what society thinks of infertility and It also raises awareness, enabling people to seek help.
To adequately raise awareness about infertility in Uganda, Ms. Kekimuri says she is taking the information to churches first.
“One of the major reasons for divorce is the couple’s failure to bear children. Most times, no one wants to talk about it because it stresses both partners. Although many questions the woman, answers from the men are also required,” she said.
She advised couples with infertility challenges to seek help together. “At Vessel, we want partners to come as a couple so that we can bridge whatever the strain has caused. Is it a belief, or an emotional system? We look for solutions on how you can get through it,” she explained.
She added that male fertility doctors handle the men such that they open up and professional clinical psychologists are also available for psychosocial support.
‘The Vessel is Me Project,’ aids couples with infertility challenges acquire psychosocial and medical help. It also spreads information, awareness, and solutions to such challenges.
The Groove Cafe with Crystal Newman airs every Weekday from 4-5 pm on RX Radio.
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