The president of Tanzania, John Magufuli, is encouraging the women in his country to boost the economy by having more children. He is calling this campaign ‘set your ovaries free.’
John Magufuli. Source: Huffington Post
Magufuli believes that Tanzania could become a powerful East African country if women gave birth to more children. He also says that a higher population can boost the economy.
Many have come out to criticize the campaign. Those on the opposing side have said that faster population growth in a short period of time could lead to inequality and poverty.
Mr. Magufuli has always believed in economic growth
Industrialization has been the focus of President Magufuli’s government. After getting into office in 2015, he has been able to achieve economic growth with his industrialization drive. Now, he believes the process could become faster if Tanzania had a larger population. He believes that a faster birth rate can help the country achieve this goal.
“When you have a big population, you build the economy. That is why China’s economy is huge,” he said. He has also mentioned Nigeria and India as countries that are where they are because of their large population. To drive his point home, he said, “I know those who like to block their ovaries will complain about my remarks. Set your ovaries free. Let them block theirs.”
Tanzania already has a high birthrate
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Tanzania has a population of about 55 million people. The country is included in the list of places with the highest birthrate in the world, with each woman giving birth to 5 children on average.
UNFPA notes that this high birthrate means overcrowded schools and hospitals. Unemployment is also rife in the country. The World Bank notes that Tanzania has a high rate of poor people due to the population growth rate.
President Magufuli and his stance on the use of contraceptives
UNFPA data shows that a 1/3 of married women in Tanzania use contraceptives, something the president opposes. The health ministry runs a family planning initiative in the country, and the president has condemned it in the past as being “for those too lazy to take care of their children.”
As a consequence, the health ministry had to ban the broadcast of family planning adverts in the country.
Opposing President Magufuli and his drive on population growth
Opposition leaders have said that the president’s stance on a faster birthrate is a ‘ticking time bomb.’ Tanzanian women are also voicing their opinion on having a man try to take away their reproductive autonomy. Social media users have called the president ‘crazy’ and an ‘eccentric clown.’
Many people are saying that the president is practicing bad economics by encouraging women to have more children since a fast population growth typically equals an increase in poverty and income inequality.
A critic, who prefers to be unnamed due to fear of repercussions from the government, has come out to say that women’s ovaries aren’t tools to be used in seeking economic growth and prosperity.
Resource: Britannica
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