The ManicaPost
Daniel Maromo
PLANNING is something we do all the time. We plan when to till the land, plant seeds, build a house, go to work, what to sell, buy, what to cook or eat. This is all because we want a better life. Planning a family is important to achieve a better life.
One of the most important interventions to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality is to practice family planning, to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to encourage spacing between child births.
In this regard, the contraceptive prevalence rate in Zimbabwe has increased from 59 percent, to 65.6 percent. It is now one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The unmet need for contraception was reduced from 13 percent to 10 percent in 2015. Teenage pregnancy is at 22 percent and need to be reduced to 12 percent by 2020. Zimbabwe, by 2020 is targeting to increase contraceptive prevalence rate to 68 percent and reduce the unmet need to 6.5 percent in line with its FP 2020 London FP Global Summit commitments, at which Government affirmed its recognition of the right to Quality Reproductive Health Services for women and girls. (ZDHS 2015)
Definition of family planning
A responsible decision made by an individual or couple to plan:
to have a small/manageable family size ,
when to have the first and when to have the last child,
to space each pregnancy by at least three years.
Why should you plan your family?
There are several reasons/benefits, and these have been categorised as follows:
- Benefits to the father:
A responsible father needs to make a joint decision with his wife to have a small and manageable family size in order to achieve a better life for his family and community. If this is achieved he will enjoy the following benefits:
The father will have enough time to plan for a better life for his family.
Enough money to provide for his family’s needs.
Good health in order to work for his family and nation.
He would have peace of mind at home and at work.
Time to spend with his wife and children and giving them love and attention.
The father will have time for leisure and recreational activities with family and friends.
The father would also have time and resources to participate in community activities and further his education.
- Benefits to the mother:
A mother is likely to stay in good health if she spaces pregnancies by three years or more and avoids getting pregnant:
Before the age of 18 years.
After the age of 35 years.
After the 4th child.
The woman will enjoy the following benefits:
Reduced incidences of poor health outcomes related to pregnancy and delivery.
Time to rest in between pregnancies.
She will be in good health.
Reduced maternal mortality and morbidity.
Time for love and attention for her husband and children.
Time to look after her home and take care of her family.
Time for leisure.
The mother will also have time and resources to further her education.
She will have time to participate in community activities and self- help projects.
- Benefits to the children:
Parents need enough time and money to provide for children`s needs. Children born when parents have planned for them have a good foundation in life. Family Planning has the following benefits for children:
Improves child survival.
Reduces infant mortality and morbidity.
Reduces incidences of low birth weight and malnutrition
Parents would be able to provide their children with a good and well- balanced diet which will enable them to grow and develop strong and healthy bodies.
The children will receive proper care, love and attention from both parents.
The parents will provide their children with a good, comfortable and secure home to live in and a safe, healthy environment.
The children will also have adequate clothing.
Mostly the children would have good education since their parents would have enough money for best schools, school fees, books, and uniforms.
- Benefits to the community and nation:
If people have small, manageable family sizes there is likely to be
Better health for ALL.
Enough land to till.
Enough grazing land.
More jobs.
Enough schools and health facilities.
Recreational facilities.
Adequate water supply.
Better houses and adequate space.
Better sanitation.
Conservation of natural resources e.g. trees, soil, animals and water.
Adequate transport and marketing facilities.
Community development.
When you decide to plan for a better life for you and your family, visit ZNFPC Clinic or your nearest health care facility.
Daniel Maromo is the Provincial Marketing and Communications Officer for Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council – Manicaland and can be contacted on 0773 551 868/020 62981/23 or emailed at
