International
Women’s
Day,
which
is
celebrated
on
March
8,
is
this
year
running
under
the
theme,
‘Give
to
Gain’.
This
offers
a
powerful
lens
through
which
to
view
the
transformative
role
of
fertility
care.
Although
the
causes
of
infertility
affect
both
men
and
women,
women
bear
the
brunt
of
this
blame.
Even
when
infertility
is
medically
linked
to
male
factors,
cultural
norms
frequently
hold
women
responsible.
This
misplaced
blame
perpetuates
gender
inequality,
discrimination
and
violence,
reinforcing
patriarchal
structures
that
marginalise
women
further.
The
consequences
of
infertility
extend
far
beyond
medical
concerns.
It
can
lead
to
psychological
distress,
marital
instability,
intimate
partner
violence,
risky
sexual
behaviour
and
economic
hardship.
In
many
societies,
parenthood
is
seen
as
a
cultural
expectation.
Those
unable
to
meet
this
expectation
often
face
stigma,
loss
of
identity,
grief
and
even
ostracism
or
abuse.
In
vitro
fertilisation
(IVF),
a
widely
used
assisted
reproductive
technology,
has
become
a
vital
option
for
couples
facing
subfertility.
In
Zimbabwe,
IVF
services
have
quietly
but
steadily
grown,
combining
modern
science
with
compassionate
care.
The
IVF
Zimbabwe
clinic
in
Harare
illustrates
this
progress,
having
achieved
remarkable
milestones,
with
390
IVF
babies
born
to
date.
Last
year
alone,
57
births
were
recorded,
an
average
of
one
IVF
baby
every
week.
“Infertility
is
not
simply
a
medical
condition
but
a
multidimensional
issue
that
intersects
with
human
rights,
gender
justice,
economics
and
public
health,”
explained
IVF
Zimbabwe’s
doctor
Tinovimba
Mhlanga.
“Through
opening
doors
for
women
across
diverse
backgrounds,
IVF
embodies
the
spirit
of
the
International
Women’s
Day
theme
‘Give
to
Gain,’
offering
families
the
chance
to
grow
while
challenging
harmful
narratives
around
infertility.
“It
is
a
reminder
that
reproductive
health
is
central
to
empowerment,
dignity
and
equality.”
Dr
Tinovimba
Mhlanga
added.
Beyond
the
figures,
testimonies
from
women
who
have
undergone
IVF
speak
to
its
empowering
impact.
One
woman
described
the
experience
as
“a
second
chance
at
life,”
explaining
that
the
birth
of
her
child
brought
not
only
joy
but
also
social
acceptance
and
relief
from
years
of
discrimination.
Another
woman
called
IVF
“liberating,”
noting
that
it
allowed
her
to
reclaim
her
identity
as
a
mother
while
pursuing
personal
and
professional
growth.
These
stories
illustrate
that
the
benefits
of
IVF
extend
beyond
medical
success.
It
empowers
women,
reduces
stigma
and
fosters
resilience.
“In
addition
to
clinical
interventions,
a
unified
shift
in
social
attitudes,
equitable
access
to
care
and
efforts
to
dismantle
the
stigma
surrounding
childlessness
are
required.
“Without
such
changes,
women
will
continue
to
suffer
disproportionate
blame
and
harm,
despite
infertility
being
a
shared
human
condition,”
Dr
Tinovimba
Mhlanga
added.
He
went
on
to
say
International
Women’s
Day
is
a
moment
to
reflect
on
the
progress
made
and
the
work
still
ahead.
“The
empowerment
that
comes
with
reproductive
health
services
is
profound.
Addressing
some
of
the
challenges
through
IVF
can
help
restore
dignity
and
agency
to
women,
enabling
them
to
participate
fully
in
family
life
and
society,”
Dr
Tinovimba
Mhlanga
said.
Post
published
in:
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