First lady urges African men to consider male sterilisation in the form of vasectomy

ZIMBABWEAN first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa advised African men to consider undergoing permanent male sterilisation otherwise called vasectomy as part of the drive to address population control.

Speaking at the launch of the Sexual Reproductive Health and Family Planning Programme being funded by the Swedish government in Harare, Zimbabwe, Mrs Mnangagwa said birth control should not be down to women. She pointed out that child control is a matter that should concern both parents and men should take responsibility too.

Mrs Mnangagwa said: “To men out there, family planning is your responsibility too. Your involvement in assisting women in choosing and accessing these methods is highly encouraged.

“There are methods specifically meant for men. For example, vasectomy, which is offered by the Ministry of Health and Child Care through Populations Services Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, I urge you to consider them.”

A politician herself, who was elected as a parliamentarian in 2015, Mrs Mnangagwa joined the prime minister's office in 1992. She was later elected as a Zanu-PF member of parliament serving for the same constituency as her husband after he became vice president under Robert Mugabe.