Infertility: Breaking Silence On Stigma, Healthcare Gaps

In the quiet corners of African villages, many women carry a hidden burden. While some are celebrated for bringing new life into the world, others—those who are unable to conceive—find themselves marginalized, their suffering intensified by the cultural stigma surrounding infertility.

For women like Mrs. Chollom Pam, infertility is not just a medical condition but a societal verdict, accompanied by emotional trauma, isolation, and rejection.

“Every day, I am reminded of my failure as a woman. Friends who once supported me gradually pulled away, and even within my marriage, the tension is constant,” Pam shared in a voice thick with emotion.

In West Africa, where motherhood is often synonymous with womanhood, infertility is a silent epidemic that leaves many women grappling with feelings of inadequacy and social rejection. The inability to bear children not only affects women’s emotional well-being but often leads to estrangement within families and communities.

In Mali, Mrs. Fatouma Amadou faced years of ostracisation by her in-laws after multiple failed attempts to conceive.

“They see me as less of a person, as if my worth is tied to my ability to have children,” Amadou recounted bitterly.

Her husband, Mr. Oumar Amadou echoed her pain: “The pressure isn’t just on my wife. As a man, I also feel the weight of society’s expectations. People question my masculinity, even though infertility is not always a woman’s issue.”

This societal pressure extends beyond individual families. Across West Africa, cultural beliefs deeply rooted in gender stereotypes often place the blame for infertility solely on women, despite research showing that male infertility accounts for nearly 50 per cent of cases.

“Infertility is often viewed as a curse or punishment from the gods,” explained Mr. Seydou Traoré, a sociologist from Mali. He noted that such perceptions drive many women, particularly in rural areas, to seek spiritual solutions rather than professional medical care.

For Mrs. Sophia Ampadu, a 40-year-old woman from the Eastern Region of Ghana, the journey to healing and acceptance was long and arduous. After years of struggling with infertility, she and her husband finally sought medical help. 

“Despite financial challenges, we were able to undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Unfortunately, the first IVF cycle was unsuccessful. The disappointment was crushing, but I refused to give up. With my husband’s unwavering support and the backing of a supportive community, I persevered and underwent a second IVF cycle,” Ampadu shared.

To her immense joy, the second cycle was successful, and she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The experience transformed her life, filling her with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, showcasing how hope and perseverance can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. 

Traditional healers, such as Chief Ogundele Adeoye from Nigeria, continue to play a significant role in treating fertility issues. Adeoye acknowledged that while traditional remedies offer centuries-old wisdom, their prominence often perpetuates the belief that infertility is solely a woman’s issue.

“Many couples come to us when modern medicine fails, but we cannot ignore the knowledge passed down by our ancestors,” Adeoye said.

However, this reliance on traditional methods, while part of the cultural fabric, often delays proper medical interventions. Observers note that many women suffer in silence, facing social isolation and even physical violence, as access to modern fertility treatments remains limited.

Dr. Adanna Eze, a fertility specialist in Nigeria, highlighted the stark disparities in healthcare access, stating, “While IVF is available in some urban centers, the cost is prohibitive for most people. In rural areas, access to even basic fertility care is virtually non-existent.”

This gap is particularly troubling given that untreated infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), account for up to 85 per cent of infertility cases in Africa. “Without proper healthcare infrastructure, many women remain untreated, deepening the crisis,” Eze explained.

A 2020 meta-analysis revealed that infertility affects 49.91 per cent of couples in Africa, with West Africa contributing 41.57 per cent of that figure. Despite these staggering numbers, infertility remains a taboo subject, cloaked in stigma and shame. Many women and men are reluctant to speak openly about their struggles due to fear of social ostracism.

Fortunately, efforts to address this issue are gaining momentum. The Merck Foundation’s *More Than a Mother* campaign is one of the leading initiatives aimed at empowering women who struggle with infertility. Through education, awareness, and improved access to healthcare, the program challenges the deeply ingrained stigma surrounding infertility.

“Our goal is to provide training for fertility specialists and embryologists across Africa. The efforts go beyond medical solutions; we must shift societal perceptions and raise awareness that infertility is not just a woman’s problem,” said Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation.

The foundation’s twin campaign, *More Than a Father*, aims to raise awareness about male infertility and emphasises shared responsibility between men and women in the journey toward parenthood.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo is currently advocating for a bill to improve access to reproductive healthcare for all women, particularly those dealing with infertility. “Infertility is a silent epidemic in our communities. We must make reproductive healthcare more accessible, especially for low-income families,” Banigo explained.

However, barriers remain. Funding shortages, a lack of trained healthcare professionals, and deep-rooted cultural beliefs continue to hinder progress in addressing infertility. Advocacy groups such as the African Infertility Support Network are stepping in to fill the gap by providing counseling and legal support to affected women.

“Infertility is not just a medical issue; it is a societal one,” said Ms. Maryam Ogebe, an advocacy officer. “We are working to include men in the conversation and educate communities about the true causes of infertility.”

Fertility experts like Dr. Ibrahim Danladi, a reproductive health researcher, called for a cultural shift in the way infertility is perceived. “Our healthcare systems must prioritise both male and female infertility. Policy changes are essential to ensure fertility treatments are accessible to everyone,” Danladi said.

Experts note that infertility in West Africa is more than just a medical condition—it is a deeply ingrained cultural challenge. For women like Mrs. Pam and Mrs. Amadou, infertility represents a painful clash between personal hopes and societal expectations. But with growing advocacy, medical interventions and societal awareness, there is hope for change.

Addressing this issue requires a holistic approach: improving access to healthcare, reducing stigma, and implementing policies that support all couples, regardless of their fertility status. Only then can West Africa begin to heal the silent wounds left by infertility.

As more conversations about infertility are brought into the public sphere, the region can begin to reshape its cultural attitudes toward parenthood. By shifting societal views, providing better medical support, and fostering inclusive dialogue, West Africa can ensure that every couple, regardless of fertility challenges, receives the care, compassion and respect they deserve.

The journey toward breaking the silence on infertility may be long, but with continued advocacy and healthcare improvements, there is hope for a brighter future where the stigma of infertility no longer casts a shadow over the lives of so many. (NAN)