Malawian couples urged to slow down on childbirth

The United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) has appealed to Malawian couples to slow down on childbirth warning that the country faces serious social and economic challenges if the current birth rate of six children per woman is maintained.

The Usaid maternal, newborn and child health specialist Evelyn Zimba made the appeal in Machinga at the Family Planning/Population open day held under the theme Investing in Young People: Key to Development.

Zimba said time had come for the local couples to start bearing children they can ably take care of without causing unnecessary burden on relatives or government or the environment.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world: 65 percent of the population here lives on less than 1.25 dollars a day, and nearly one in 10 children die before their fifth birthday. Credit: Claire Ngozo/IPS
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world: 65 percent of the population here lives on less than 1.25 dollars a day, and nearly one in 10 children die before their fifth birthday. Credit: Claire Ngozo/IPS

“If more children are born to parents who are ready to care for them, the country as a whole will experience lower levels of academic failure, child abuse, and neglect. Malawi will be a home to healthier, more successful children and families,” she said.

Zimba asked parents to consider investing in their children if the country is to register a reduction in adolescent pregnancies.

She expressed concern that currently, Malawi’s 25 percent of adolescents aged 15-19 have already started childbearing largely because there is lack of information on sexual and reproductive health services.

Zimba challenged parents to provide the necessary support to their children to ensure they delay child bearing “until they are ready—and be the best parents they can be to Malawi’s next generation”.

Usaid in Malawi is currently funding a Health Policy Project (HPP) with the aim of reaching out to policymakers and the public with innovative advocacy and communications on sexual and reproductive health and family planning messages.

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