Hope for Girls and Women Foundation executive director Eliza Malinda says women should care for their health with family planning (FP) methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
She was speaking on Monday during an engagement with women and girls on gender-based violence (GBV) and its impact on sexual and reproductive health rights at Chikaoneka Village, Senior Chief Kuntaja in Blantyre.
Malinda further noted that the lack of knowledge on family planning leads to unwanted consequences, prompting unsafe abortions.
“We sensitised the women on family planning to safeguard their health. We discussed the causes and impact of unsafe abortions. Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and cultural beliefs push many to unwanted pregnancies as men are often portrayed as superior and decision-makers when it comes to sex,” she said.
Malinda also said rape is another challenge contributing to unwanted pregnancies.
To abort, she observed that women ingest Aloe Vera, dululu and chilambe which damage their wombs and even cause fistula.
One of the participants Memory Banda thanked the foundation for the engagement saying it has helped them understand the importance of family planning.
“There are many myths affecting the uptake of those methods; hence, it is women who suffer,” she said.
The foundation, in partnership with For Equality, empowers women and girls to overcome Gender Based Violence (GBV).
