Infertility Struggles in Malawi's Chikwawa District: Racheal Mulotha Finds Strength in Business Amidst Societal Pressure
Over the past two decades, Racheal has been married to four different men, facing growing pressure from society to have children.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi — Racheal Mulotha, a 48-year-old woman from the traditional authority Ngabu in the southern district of Chikwawa district, has faced a challenging journey in her pursuit of motherhood, writes Caroline Mapando.
In the late 90s, she entered her first marriage, like any other woman, with the aspiration of becoming a mother one day.
However, fate had other plans, and Racheal spent many years without success in conceiving.
In the early 2000s, seeking answers to her infertility, she turned to Malamulo Adventist Hospital, a Christian mission hospital in the rural location of Makwasa, in the Southern Thyolo District of Malawi.
Despite an operation on her cervix, which doctors believed would solve the issue, her situation remained unchanged.
Over the past two decades, Racheal has been married to four different men, facing growing pressure from society to have children.
"It is an understandable thing that everyone expects to have children when they get married. Likewise, these men have been disappointed that I couldn't conceive despite telling them it's not my wish," she shared with concern.
Having exhausted medical options and traditional remedies, Racheal has come to accept her circumstances and now focuses on her fish-selling business and farming.
She finds solace and purpose in her work, shielding herself from the mockery of others.
"I decided to be busy with my business each passing week so that I may not get stressed with what people say about me," she said during our visit to her home.
Racheal's current husband has two wives, including herself, and he has children from another family.
Despite the challenge at hand, Rachael's mother-in-law supports and encourages her to stay strong and focus on other aspects of life.
Infertility affects over 180 million people globally, with Sub-Saharan Africa facing one of the highest rates of women's inability to conceive.
Nancy Chilenje, Chairperson of the Catholic Women's Organisation in the Catholic Diocese of Chikwawa, expressed that the church has many women with similar struggles but considers them equal members of the community.
"Through their participation in our activities, we really feel inspired, and they focus on helping more children as well, which is an encouragement to all of us," Chilenje said.
Angellina Parafini Gwebe, a 71-year-old from Nsanje, who has been closely associated with childless families, urges others to inspire and support these families.
Dr. Mary Shawa, a health and women's rights activist and former principal secretary in Malawi's ministries of Health and Gender, suggests that adoption could be a lasting solution to the stress caused by infertility.
"Sometimes we just have to accept the times we are passing through. Such women can adopt children, whom they can look after. We have so many children who have no parents as orphans; they can take them and raise them. It can be a blessing as well," Dr. Shawa said.
Racheal remains determined to grow her business, and she hopes for the support of well-wishers to achieve her goal.
She also encourages other women facing similar challenges to find purpose and keep themselves busy to overcome societal mockery.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that infertility affects 1 in 6 people globally, but despite this prevalence, solutions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment remain "underfunded" and "inaccessible" to many patients due to high costs.
Although specific statistics on infertility in Malawi are not available, reports indicate that childless women often face stigma and discrimination in their respective communities.
Various stakeholders, including the Merck Foundation through its "More Than a Mother" movement, are taking action to define policies that enhance access to regulated, safe, and equitable fertility care.
Additionally, efforts are being made to break the stigma surrounding infertile women and raise awareness about infertility prevention, management, and male infertility.