Back to Index

Women have right to choose not to breastfeed
Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)
January 20, 2006

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=1727

EDITOR — It was with great disappointment and anguish that we at the Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) read the front-page story in The Herald issue of January 17, 2006, entitled "Woman killed for failing to breastfeed her baby".

Despite the fact that no reasons were given for the woman’s failure to breastfeed, such forms of violence should be expunged from our society.

Recently, the whole nation commemorated "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence", and it is sad to realise that some people have completely missed the message. Everyone should feel a sense of outrage when we see violence such as this being perpetrated on any individual — whether man, woman or child.

The incident demonstrated a disturbing level of ignorance within the country.

As opposed to witchcraft, the woman may have chosen not to breastfeed because she was malnourished and, thus, unable to produce enough milk.

It might also have been that she was concerned about HIV and transmitting the virus to her baby.

Or further still, it might have been that she simply did not want to breastfeed.

It is a woman’s right to choose whether to breastfeed her baby or not. It is a well-known Shona cultural practice whenever a husband has problems with his wife, he consults the wife’s aunt or sisters so that they mediate between the two.

But in this case, the man chose to consult his wife’s father and brother, people without the knowledge and experience to understand issues affecting woman.

Although still a patriarchal society, there is no excuse for the level of abuse and violence inflicted on this woman and many others throughout Zimbabwe.

Our country has signed on to the Millennium Development Goals campaign, whose aim, among others, is improve maternal health and reduce child mortality.

Furthermore, Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrim-ination Against Women (CEDAW).

While it is for our leaders and policymakers to address these issues, all Zimbabweans must come together to improve the health and well-being of women and children.

It is critical that more information is availed to raise awareness about women’s sexual and reproductive rights.

There are numerous organisations working to support women in the attainment of these goals such as Padare, Women and Aids Support Network (WASN), Women’s Action Group (WAG) and Musasa Project.

Notwithstanding that, we — men, women and children — all need to work together to break the vicious circle of ignorance to fight violence against women and to improve the health and well-being of all Zimba-bweans.

Olga Makoni,
SAfAIDS spokesperson.

*This letter was first published in The Herald (Zimbabwe), January 20, 2006

Visit the SAfAIDS fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP