By Sharon Sitati

Kenya, like many other societies, holds deep-rooted gender norms that perpetuate the idea that contraception is solely a woman’s responsibility. This prevailing mindset denies women their reproductive rights and restricts their ability to make decisions about their own bodies. The current issue of Kenya’s celebrity “Nameless” rumours of undergoing vasectomy had Kenyans talking and through their comments clearly implies lack of impression from many due to lack of awareness on it or could be they do not embrace vasectomy concept. Traditionally and in most relationships and marriages of today, women have been left to make the contraception choice most times in the absence or ignorance of the relationship partners and this is a form of violence against them. It is high time we shift the narrative and embrace vasectomy as a viable option for men. Embracing vasectomy in Kenya represents a critical step towards achieving gender equality and family planning equity. By encouraging men to take an active role in contraception, we can alleviate the burden on women, challenge harmful gender norms, and promote reproductive rights for all. It is time for society to recognize and support vasectomy as an important choice that men can make, empowering women and fostering a more equitable and inclusive future.

By exclusively burdening women with contraception, society not only reinforces gender inequalities but also violates their rights. The issue of whether or not to get pregnant is both partners’ consensual responsibility. Studies show that 78% of men and 90% of women feel like contraception is a joint responsibility, yet only 50% of people in relationships share the responsibility. According to the Economic Survey released in 2020 indicates that in 2019, 658 men underwent vasectomy compared to 2016 when the number was 646. In the same year, alarmingly 2.5 Million women took family planning injections. Most women have been forced to use contraception that does not suit their bodies and end up having complications. Most of these contraceptives are hormonal and cause imbalances in their body leading to delayed or long periods that could cause anaemia, blood clotting, and reduced desire for sex, prolonged vaginal yeast infections, increased or reduced weight, headaches and acne among others.  Women should have the freedom to choose the contraceptive method that best suits their needs, rather than being limited to options that have potential side effects or disrupt their natural hormonal balance.

Many myths and misconceptions surround vasectomy, such as the belief that it affects a man’s virility or sexual pleasure and sexual performance, orgasm, sexual desire, ejaculation, causes prostate cancer and erectile capabilities. However, this is not true according to experts as it doesn’t affect the man’s performance or virility, it doesn’t make the man ejaculate ‘air’ as it does not affect the amount of semen released and neither does it cause prostate cancer. Vasectomy is more than 99.9 % effective form of birth control and it doesn’t have to be painful. Dr. Charles Ochieng, the founder of Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK) says that with advances in medical Engineering one doesn’t have to go through the scalpel way. We need to debunk these myths and give right on information to reduce the fear in men that are willing to go for this procedure. By providing accurate information and sharing personal experiences of those who have undergone the procedure, we can dispel these myths and alleviate fears. To facilitate the acceptance of vasectomy in Kenya, it is crucial to raise awareness about the procedure, address misconceptions, and educate both men and women about its benefits. Health authorities, NGOs, and community-based organizations can play a vital role in educating the public and ensuring that vasectomy is a viable option for all men who wish to pursue.

Embracing vasectomy challenges cultural norms surrounding masculinity and provides an opportunity to redefine what it means to be a responsible man. By openly discussing vasectomy and breaking down the stigma associated with it, we can challenge stereotypes and encourage a more progressive and inclusive society. It’s impressive that in Kenya we are currently embracing the vasectomy concept. According to the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (KOGS), only one per cent of Kenyan men have undergone a vasectomy. However, according to the newly released Economic Survey 2023, the number of men undergoing vasectomy more than doubled last year (2022) from 248 to 557, which is a 124% increase. By taking responsibility for contraception, men can alleviate the burden on women, who have historically borne the physical and emotional costs of birth control. Embracing vasectomy allows men to actively participate in family planning decisions and share the responsibility of preventing unintended pregnancies.
 
Vasectomy empowers women by enabling them to pursue education, careers, and personal aspirations without constantly worrying about unplanned pregnancies. When men actively participate in family planning, it promotes more equitable power dynamics within relationships and society as a whole.

Sharon Sitati, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Advocate, Naya-Kenya