WVD in Africa
A Mother’s Voice, A Nation’s Call: Mrs. Charity Muleya on Vasectomy and Shared Responsibility
In a society where the burden of family planning often rests on women, voices like that of Mrs. Charity Muleya matter deeply. When I spoke with her, I was struck by her conviction and clarity of thought. As a Community-Based Mobiliser for WVD Zambia, she brings both lived experience and leadership to her advocacy.
“I was inspired to join WVD Zambia because I know that women carry most of the burden of pregnancy and raising children,” she told me. “When I saw this burden, I knew I had to advocate for others. I encourage women to talk to their husbands about vasectomy. It allows couples to plan their lives and finances better.”
Charity’s story is a reminder that sustainable family planning is not just about access — it’s about shared responsibility. She speaks with pride about her husband’s decision to get a vasectomy and the positive impact it has had on their household. “We are now able to save more. Even our children agree that a vasectomy is good. I’m encouraging my sons — those with four or five children — to follow the same path.”
Her efforts are building more than awareness. They are inspiring action. She connects with women in her community, helping them have honest conversations with their spouses. “What keeps me going is my passion for my fellow women. I want to help them walk the same journey.”
As we reflect on Motherhood and National Brotherhood, Charity’s message rings clear: motherhood is not meant to be carried alone. Her story is both a testimony and a challenge to all of us — to embrace responsibility, equity, and care as national values. Together, we can shape a stronger Zambia — a Zambia where men share the responsibility of family planning alongside their wives, not just as a duty, but as a profound act of love.
Natasha Zgambo
Communications Officer
WVD Zambia
Notes from the field: Uganda
Chasing Vasectomies, Dodging Insults, and Winning Minds
Over the past two weeks, WVD Uganda’s field team has been on an inspiring journey across Masaka, Mbarara, and Wakiso, bringing conversations about vasectomy to life and empowering men to take charge of their reproductive health.
It hasn’t always been smooth, but it has absolutely been rewarding.
From navigating waterlogged paths barefoot in Kyazanga to bouncing along dusty roads on boda bodas, the team has met every challenge with resilience and heart. Despite initial resistance, even being called witches and wizards, they adapted creatively, taking conversations to the places where men naturally gather, i.e. bars, lake shores, and gaming centers.
And the results speak for themselves.
Interest surged. In just the month of May, more than 50 vasectomies were performed. Radio campaigns on Buddu FM, Radio West, and Crooze FM helped amplify the message, creating a ripple effect across the regions.
We listened, too. Men asked for more privacy, separate waiting areas, and better post-procedure information, seemingly small details that significantly enhance dignity and trust.
Trust is built through presence, patience, and persistence.
The road may be rugged, but the reward of men making informed choices and communities reshaping how they view shared responsibility is more than worth it.
Akao Phiona Morrow
Communications Officer
WVD Uganda
Notes from the field: Zambia
Shifting the Narrative on Male Family Planning
On 15th May 2025, the Tapeza Campaign convened a landmark stakeholders meeting in Lusaka, drawing over 40 key influencers—including policymakers, faith leaders, clinicians, and media partners—to ignite grassroots momentum for male involvement in family planning. With strong endorsements from the Ministry of Health and the Parliamentary Caucus on Sexual Reproductive Health, the initiative received powerful validation: vasectomy is not only safe and cost-effective, it’s a responsible and loving choice for families.
Community Voices, Authentic Impact
A moving video presentation featuring men reflecting on the burden of contraception on women stirred honest dialogue and shifted perspectives in the room. Stakeholders resonated deeply with the message that family planning should not fall solely on women and that offering men a proactive role through vasectomy is long overdue. Their resounding takeaway? “This is not about limiting men—it’s about liberating families.”
Next Steps: From Momentum to Movement
With strong stakeholder buy-in and media coverage from Sun TV, Crown TV, and Zambia Daily Mail, we sparked national debate. The Tapeza Campaign now moves into action: developing tailored outreach materials, expanding rural engagement, and forging strategic partnerships across communities. As we target 5,000 vasectomies over 3.5 years, this meeting was more than a touchpoint—it was the launch of a collective shift in how Zambia approaches reproductive responsibility.
Notes from the field: Zambia
Bringing the Conversation to the Heart of the Community
On 22nd May 2025, WVD Zambia hosted an outreach event in Pache Pache, Chombela, Chibombo District—sparking open, honest conversations about male involvement in family planning. Over 50 men attended, with community leaders and health professionals creating a supportive environment to explore vasectomy as a safe and responsible option for men with complete families. The session marked a turning point in community attitudes, with several men volunteering to pursue the procedure immediately.
From Curiosity to Commitment
Participants engaged enthusiastically in group discussions and an interactive Q&A, asking insightful questions and challenging long-held misconceptions. The presence of the local village Headman—Headman Chombela, who endorsed the programme, added a critical layer of community trust. This wasn’t just an educational session—it was a catalyst for behaviour change, sparking a collective rethinking of family planning as a shared responsibility.
Moving Forward: More Access, More Impact
The event revealed clear community demand for expanded services, including on-the-spot vasectomy procedures and more printed information materials. WVD Zambia is now working to enhance future outreach logistics, with plans to introduce mobile services and deepen engagement in surrounding areas. The strong turnout and authentic feedback reaffirm the need to keep men at the centre of the family planning conversation.
