BUTANYERERA, August 12 (ABP) – The social stigmatization of infertile couples can lead to severe psychological disorders, even to the point of madness. This reality is confirmed by health specialists such as psychologists and obstetrician-gynecologists. It is also confirmed through the testimony of a woman who suffered stigma due to her infertility, which lasted eight years.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Thierry Akimana stated in an interview with ABP that infertility is defined as a disease of the male or female reproductive system, characterized in women by the inability to conceive after 12 months or after many regular unprotected sexual relations. He clarified that infertility-related factors may be present in either partner, and thus, women should not be solely blamed in infertile couples. Dr. Thierry Akimana emphasized that infertility is often treatable, depending on its cause, duration, the partners’ ages, and access to healthcare.
This healthcare professional encourages couples to remain socially and economically active and to seek medical consultations together, noting that in nearly 50% of cases, the man is also affected. He urges society not to isolate or stigmatize infertile couples but to offer them support and understanding.
According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 4, 2023, around 17.5% of the global adult population is affected by infertility, that is, one in six people. This prevalence is similar in high-income countries (17.8%) and in low- or middle-income countries (17.5%). The same report notes that in Burundi, specific data on infertility is limited. However, regional studies suggest that infertility is a significant reproductive health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. For example, a 2004 study by WHO showed that about one in four couples in developing countries are affected by infertility.
Joselyne Niyonkuru is a woman who was stigmatized by her family and community since 2016, but who gave birth after eight years of marriage. She currently lives in the city of Ngozi, in Butanyerera province. Holding her one-year-old child tenderly in her arms, her face glowing with joy, she emotionally shared how she nearly fell into depression during those years when she was unable to conceive.
Mrs. Niyonkuru confides that it was a very difficult period, especially due to the attitude of her neighbors. However, she expresses gratitude to her husband for his support and understanding. “Some neighbors used to visit us, but would say they wouldn’t return until I had a child,” she recalls. A particularly striking case was when someone told her they had cast a spell on her to prevent her from conceiving, which deeply shocked her. Mrs. Niyonkuru explains that she eventually came to terms with the possibility of never having children. She says she consulted several doctors during that time and, miraculously, as she puts it, she became pregnant.
She strongly advises couples not to turn to traditional healers, but rather to seek professional medical help. She also calls on society not to marginalize infertile women, as this can lead to mental health issues. “I almost lost myself. I often cried alone. Sometimes I would spend the night without eating, lost in thoughts about how society saw me. Some people even refused to let me approach or hold their children, fearing I might cast a spell on them,” she deplored.
Regarding the psychological and social impact, Médard Niyimpaye, psychologist and director of the counseling and medical-psychosocial care center in Ngozi, explains that although there are no precise statistics, the psychological consequences of stigmatization are real. He points out that infertility, in a context like Burundi where childbearing is considered a fundamental social and cultural norm, can lead to anxiety and depression, social isolation, and low self-esteem. Infertile individuals may feel devalued or incomplete, which affects their identity and emotional well-being. Infertility can also weaken marital relationships, leading to conflict, misunderstanding, and even separation. Societal expectations often intensify these tensions, especially when the pressure is mainly placed on the woman, he noted.
In response to this situation, religious leaders in Burundi have a key role to play in fighting infertility-related stigma. According to Bishop Émile Ndikumana, head of the coalition of Christian churches in Ngozi, these leaders offer moral and spiritual support to affected couples, helping them overcome shame and prejudice. He pointed out that even in the Bible, there are examples of people who had children late in life and who also experienced social marginalization. As religious leaders, their mission is to teach Christians that it is God who gives children. He also mentioned witnessing cases where spouses mistreat their partners simply because they only had children of one sex, which he sees as a sign of ignorance. He insists that infertility can affect anyone.
According to this religious leader, if households and families are not strong, neither the church nor the country can develop. That is why, he says, they educate couples, especially those in preparations of marriage, on how to react if faced with such a trial. He discourages consulting traditional healers and criticizes some ministers of God who only recommend prayer in the face of infertility. In his view, one should indeed pray, but also consult doctors, as in some cases the causes are biological and treatable.